“Maria, I cannot believe you included that story on page 30 of your book!”
This was the message I received from a very good friend of mine after the release of Confident Moms, Confident Daughters. She was kidding of course, but I’m not going to lie, my cheeks literally turned red on the spot.
For the sake of time I’m not going to divulge all the juice of one certain vulnerable story on page 30, but I can promise you it was amongst many of the very personal and very vulnerable details I share throughout the book.
What was I thinking??
And why on earth would I do that??
I would be lying to you if I said that I never had any moments of regret, that there were no times when I wished I had kept all my adolescent secrets to myself and chose not to share with the world that I had a hate hate relationship with my hind parts. But a long time ago I decided that being vulnerable and honest is always worth the risk of embarrassment.
Why?
Well, because I believe that lies live in the darkness. Its in the hidden places of our lives, thoughts, and hearts that lies thrive and evil thoughts about ourselves and others fester. If we keep the lies there for long enough, they begin to take permanent root and my prayer is that by sharing my own vulnerable places I might help others to share theirs.
My friend Niki Hardy recently released a book called Breathe Again: How to Live Well When Life Falls Apart. She shares this story in her chapter titled “Be vulnerable.”
“A month or so into treatment, I had managed to convince both Al and myself that I was doing fine. Believing my Oscar-worthy performance, he gave me the space he assumed I craved. But I was far from okay. I desperately needed a hug from the arms I could collapse into without fear of judgement. I needed to share the emotional weight I was lugging around, and I needed to be understood, accepted, and loved even if I was undone and broken.”
One of my favorite things about Niki and her book is her willingness to be vulnerable alongside of us, because let’s be honest, life is always falling apart or close to it am I right? And she even gets a giggle every time she shares her story about being diagnosed with rectal cancer.
Niki knows first hand the life-giving fruit that comes with vulnerability, and I know it too. And once you know this truth it sticks with you wherever you go.
Being a writer is kind of like standing naked in a public square. It feels more baring than anything I have ever done. But over and over again I have heard these words and it bolsters me to stay vulnerable, “I thought I was the only one and then I read your story and realized that it is not just me!”
Imagine the elation that comes when we realize that in our weakest and most embarrassing moments we are not alone! And the even better news? That means that someone else might have found a thing or two that helped them, they can share it with us, and then we can turn and share it too.
Vulnerability causes a domino effect of healing!
Vulnerability is a kingdom building call and it is SO worth the risk.
So, I ask you, along with my friend Niki, where is a place in your life where you can take the brave step of being vulnerable today?
What is one part of your life that you are suffering in alone?
Will you do the brave thing today and message someone or call them to tell them?
You got this! We promise you won’t regret it (well at least not permanently. It might come with some small moments of utter abhorrence but ignore those. They pass quickly ) ☺️
