Vulnerable

Vulnerable

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

IT WAS AFTER A LONG DAY that a new group of friends and I sat down to dinner. As we ordered our food and the discussion turned to our families, our conversation circled around my sister who had passed away from cancer several years earlier. I looked around for a moment at my friends who were waiting for my response to their question of what those years had been like.

Like many other times before, I was at a crossroads. I could offer them surface answers about that time, or I could go deeper, sharing more of the hard moments that very few people actually knew about. I decided this was a time to be vulnerable, and with a little sigh I began to share with them how hard that season was in my life. They listened intently, nodding in understanding and wiping their eyes as tears left unchecked fell from my own. I felt heard and seen and was so glad that I had taken the time to share honestly.

As I finished, the women around the table were silent for a few moments before another friend began to tell us about her brother and his death. Again, our little group listened, asked questions, and shed tears together. I left that evening feeling glad that I had opened up to my new friends and not just dismissed their questions with surface answers.

Sometimes it’s scary to be vulnerable with others. We can worry whether we’ll be accepted or judged by our honesty. So often our choosing to go first tells others that it’s safe for them to be vulnerable too. God and his power are seen more fully when we are vulnerable, because it’s no longer about us, but what Christ can do in and through us.

Lord, thank you for your grace that works in and through us. Thank you that we do not have to pretend to be strong and that your power works best in our weaknesses. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Take the lead in sharing vulnerably with someone today.