With His Help ~ Vulnerable

The whole family --
God's grace alone makes us a whole and complete family - love, joy, and wonder for sure.
Here is where I'm safe to be just who and how I truly am.
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I struggle with how vulnerable I should allow myself to be. Too many past experiences of betrayal, defamation, dare I say it - backstabbing. Harsh words for me to write here today. I'd rather write about beauty, joys, and wonders. You know what? Even in that past I've found just those three things among a few other sweet treasures.


What's the cost when we stand bare in the wide open space of community? What comes after we take a brave step to share a part of our soul? What words will be spoken when we share our hopes and dreams?


The hope is almost always to be welcomed, accepted, understood, and supported. In all of this we long to be loved unconditionally. 


Reality takes it toll with sticks, stones, and sometimes cruelty. Guess what? It also surprises with gifts of cheers for keeping on. It soothes and comforts with the unwrapping of consolation and shared tears. It nourishes when it surrounds us with the beauty of those who accept, love, and support us. The best part is when our imperfections are welcomed. What a treasure to find them.


God is my reality. So of whom shall I be afraid. Yet, I am. Then again, God is my reality. So, with his help we can stand in the wide open, yet not alone. Community surrounds us. Even if with only one other person, there we stand together. There's nothing we can't do when we have that and being vulnerable isn't as scary. An amazing treasure that He is with us too. Woohoo!


The first step is to know who we are. Let God show us who we really are and let go of who everyone else says we are or should be. Next, let God show us "how" we are to be. Not influenced by comparison, but motivated by His gifts, talents, and skills in us.  Then, live out who we are and how we are to be out of love for Jesus. Let go of the people pleasing and applause. God has a circle of chosen lives to surround us and love us in all our vulnerability. Of course, we then give it all to others allowing them to be safely vulnerable as well.


With His Help: 
~ May we surround ourselves with ones who's company makes us feel fuller 
    when we leave.
~ May we be who we truly are to find the one's who accept us right where 
    we're at.
~ May the beauty and wonder of that kind of love be our motivation for 
   vulnerability. Even as we overcome the fear to be so.
~ My we never fail to give freely what is given to us .


My current season has me desiring a steady flow of encouragement and tenderness. What are you needing in your season? 


Soul Food:


Psalm 18:16-19 ~
But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; 
he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!


Ecclesiastes 4:12 ~
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Psalm 119:41-48 ~

    Let your love, God, shape my life 

      with salvation, exactly as you promised; 

   Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery 

      because I trusted your Word. 

   Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— 

      your commandments are what I depend on. 

   Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, 

      guard it now, guard it ever; 


   And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces
      as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
   Then I'll tell the world what I find,
      speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
   I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—
      relishing every fragment of your counsel.