THE GIFT OF VULNERABILITY

At our most vulnerable, there is God's presence, protection and peace. It is in our vulnerability that true invincibility is manifested in the world.--  Fr Richard Rohr, "Daily Meditation," May 4, 2021, paraphrased.

Vulnerability, according to Google, is "the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally." 

Well, there it is without the hair on it...and we need, not want, need!...to believe that being vulnerable is where we'll find God's presence, protection and peace. 

Vulnerability, i.e., being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally, is not something we joyfully anticipate happening...like, it's not on anyone's Bucket List. My mind goes to the likes of Joan of Arc or the Boys of La Pointe du Hoc...they did not have "being vulnerable" as a choice to make but a fact to face...and face it they did.

I'm guessing vulnerability is a side bennie in spite of our best efforts to protect against it. It's not like as if we face our worst fear just to feel vulnerable. No. In spite of our vulnerability, we do what we gotta do...and looking back, joy in our own Atta Girl! 

A friend once shared that she had been placed in a position where she knew not what to do or to expect but she went forward doing what she could do...and won big. She said she knew afterward that her vulnerability was what won for her. Vulnerability is attractive in its purity.  

All this is by way of understanding that our self-protective instincts are not always our best shot; trusting our Father within is always our best shot. We come to that trust by divorcing ourself from our egoic need to self-protect. 

Our Father knows our needs. Knowing that, believing that, walking that does not protect us from feeling vulnerable when we are caught unaware. 

Ah, vulnerability. There it is, our sliver of gold...pray thank you.

Thank you.