Compassion in Vulnerable Times

Hello faithful family, friends, and followers and welcome once again. Looking strictly at our activities, one would have to characterize our past week as rather routine and consistent with our new normal. We had time with family, time at church, our walks, Joy enjoyed her monthly knitting group at Bundles of Love as well as producing a quilt, sweaters, hats, booties, mittens, and other things needed at Bundles. While in many ways routine, I was also acutely aware of the overall sense of vulnerability and uncertainty we and so many people are facing and feeling these days.

When one comes through an event like the accident that upended our lives, it creates a renewed and probably permanent, this side of heaven, sense of vulnerability. I want to be clear that I don’t mean that in any way as a sense of fear, although I realize that for many the two may be one in the same. In God’s provision of overwhelming sufficiency through his grace and mercy shown us at the time of the accident and Joy’s journey to recovery, God has proven himself more than faithful in the midst of our vulnerability. At the same time, it has made us acutely aware of, and hopefully more compassionate for, those who feel vulnerable, insecure, and fearful in the environment or uncertainties they currently face.

Vulnerability peaks for us every time we have to cross a street, every time. For Joy, her aphasia leaves her insecure and vulnerable in almost all interactions where she has to communicate. She has shown great courage in not letting that isolate her as she has actively sought to spend time with friends, developed new relationships with those at Bundles of Love, church, neighbors, and even those we interact with in our MOA walks. But that sense of vulnerability is never far away. Even with our closest friends, whom she loves to spend time with, and who would attest to “how well she communicates,” afterwards, she will turn to me with a look of melancholy and say, “I really didn’t understand most of what was said.” Because of her difficulty processing information received, she is constantly aware of potentially saying the wrong thing or of misunderstanding in some way and as a result, lives in a place of vulnerability in her interactions with others.

But as I alluded to earlier, my purpose in sharing our awareness of vulnerability is not to focus on us, but on the feelings of others who find themselves in an increasingly uncertain and insecure position in our life and times today. So, a couple of points, first, if you are feeling your own insecurity and sense of vulnerability, know you are not alone. Second, please consider that just as Joy or I may hide our felt sense of vulnerability, others are hiding it too, yet need our compassion in helping each other feel safe and protected now more than ever before. Much of the current public and personal dialogue only increases the need to hide our vulnerabilities and as a result, our most genuine selves. Being sensitive to creating safe spaces for others, I believe, especially as a retired counselor, is one of the kindest and most compassionate things we can give to another person.

Finally, as Joy and I continued our reading through the Bible this last week, there were several passages that spoke to me and prompted my reflection on vulnerability, not because they made me feel more so, but because they did just the opposite, they spoke to God’s desire to create safe space for us all. So in no particular order here are some passages from Isaiah, Psalms, and 2 Corinthians, that assure us of God’s compassion toward us and protection over us. I pray they encourage you as they encouraged me.

From Isaiah:

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies

will spread a wonderful feast

for all the people of the world.

It will be a delicious banquet

with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.

There he will remove the cloud of gloom,

the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.

He will swallow up death forever!

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears.

He will remove forever all insults and mockery.

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;

the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.

The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,

and a little child will lead them all.

The cow will graze near the bear.

The cub and the calf will lie down together.

In that day you will sing:

“See, God has come to save me.

I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.”

With joy you will drink deeply

from the fountain of salvation!

In that wonderful day you will sing:

“Thank the LORD! Praise his name!”

You (the Lord) will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in you,

all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the LORD always,

for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

From Psalms:

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

I will call on God,

and the LORD will rescue me.

Morning, noon, and night

I cry out in my distress,

and the LORD hears my voice.

He ransoms me and keeps me safe

from the battle waged against me.

When I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

For you have rescued me from death;

you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

in your life-giving light.

But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge,

a place of safety when I am in distress.

O my Strength, to you I sing praises,

for you, O God, are my refuge,

the God who shows me unfailing love.

And finally, from 2 Corinthians:

Be joyful. Grow to maturity.

Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace.

Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the fellowship

of the Holy Spirit be with you all.