Rising to the Top
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
Brene Brown
As Michelle’s responsibilities at home shifted away from the children she returned to her law practice, but with a slightly different focus. Once a tough litigator of criminal cases she did not want to return to that level of intensity. She decided to become an attorney with a specialty in mediation. It was because of this training that Michelle believes she backed up and recalibrated when her husband became so defensive once she mentioned the increased problems associated with his drinking.
This was not the only factor that disrupted Michelle’s typical reactions to conflict with her beloved. Michelle was having a spiritual awakening of sorts. Here is what she reported, “I have learned over the years what it is like to be hard - tough, protective, and closed in. I also know what it is like to be held - loved, supported, and open-hearted. I believed that I could coerce Kevin to comply. But this is not who I want to be anymore. I have a choice as to who I want to be and I have chosen to focus on the grace I have been given. I want to trust that the world is a benevolent place and is oh so achingly and slowly becoming heaven on earth.”
Now, before we assume Michelle has been smoking crack, considering 2020 has been the year that many of us have cursed, stop. Pause. Ask yourself - what if I am wrong? What if I am wrong about everything I have thought about 2020? Maybe the world is not going to hell in a handbasket, maybe the world is shaken and stirred so that the cream might rise to the top. Maybe we needed a big intervention to move us away from our own personal ambivalence. Maybe we are all called to do some soul searching.
* What caused you to forget grace? What distracts you from seeing God’s support and lovingkindness permeating your life and the lives of others?
