“Night church” used to be my favorite thing.  Where I grew up, “night church” meant my brother and I got to hang out with this awesome older lady and watch Cinderella while our parents had Bible study. 

I will never forget horsing around with my brother one time after night church and being pushed off a chair.  I fell on the thinly carpeted floor and immediately started YELLING.  (This is why my family lovingly refers to me as “Shriek.”)  My parents told me to hush and ensured me that I was fine, but my elbow was h u r t i n g. 

Long story short, I ended up with a broken elbow, my first of four broken bones.

On both the inside and the outside, I must confess that I am easily breakable.  I’m fragile.  I cry in movies, at commercials, reading books, at work, at home, etc.  This used to be something that I hid away.  I was ashamed that I broke down so easily, so I learned how to deflect with humor or say the easy thing that wouldn’t make me tear up.  This seemingly harmless habit led to shallow relationships, a reputation for being cold, and so many missed opportunities for encouragement.

One day recently a friend shared this quote from her devotional with me:

Grow strong in your weakness.  Some of My children I’ve gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like you, have received the humble gift of frailty.  Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate a lack of faith.

Psalm 139:13-14 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous- how well I know it.”

God knit me together- emotions and all.  My fragility isn’t a curse that needs to be buried deep inside, but a blessing.  One that God put inside me on purpose, to be poured out and used properly.

So, I’ve been letting my tears flow a little bit more when the youth kids or friends tell me a hard thing. After all, it’s not just a suggestion, but a command, to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).  I’ve also felt an invitation to say the mushy kind thing or the encouraging thing, because kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24)- even if your eyes get a little misty saying them.

Maybe you’ve gotten to the end of this blog and you’re feeling #misunderstood because you really are a stoic, serious dude who hasn’t cried since 2007. 

And I have to ask, have you been burying your gift, too?

Maybe you are able to say the hard thing easily or you don't get upset over the small things. Proverbs 19:11 says that it is the “glory of a man” to overlook an offense.  Teach your fragile friends to forgive small things, help your college-age kids realize that the future isn’t that scary with Jesus, and show us how to calmly enter into workplace conflict.

Maybe you get frustrated at the world easily.  Show us the injustice we’ve neglected or chosen not to see.

Maybe you’re just really bubbly all the time.  Show us how to be thankful every day.

Maybe you think you’re too "type A". Remind us that God cares about beauty, details, and excellence.

Why try to look like every other sweater on the rack?  God knit you together!  And whether the yarn He used was easily breakable or incredibly strong, I believe His workmanship is marvelous.

What part of your personality have you been burying? 

Grab your shovel.  It’s time to dig up the parts of us we tend to hide (and to use them wisely) - for the glory of God and the sake of the world.