"People need to know we have weaknesses. Nobody wins when we pretend we have it all together. Heart-focused communities are characterized by transparency. The strong members of the group use their strength to help the weak, not ignore them. If people learn that sharing their weakness will get them in trouble, they learn to wear masks and hide what they fear is unacceptable to others. This is a big problem because people who conceal their weaknesses can't grow."
~Marcus Warner, "A Deeper Walk"
At 6:45 a.m. on Father's Day, I got a wild and crazy idea. I love my routines and schedules, spontaneous outings are not really my things. But I had a coupon for a local restaurant we hadn't tried, and I thought walking to breakfast sounded like a great way to celebrate this guy.
We quickly donned our walking shoes and walked the 1 1/4 miles downtown. Our waiter was fabulous and helped us pick food that delighted our taste buds. We even had plenty of time to walk back home and get ready for church.
On the way home, Aaron brought up a recent conversation that hadn't gone so well. He gently and thoughtfully pointed out some areas for growth in my life. And he was exactly right.
The above quote was written about communities, but I think it applies to marriages, too. Transparency and safety with each other provide a foundation for growth. We can share our weaknesses with each other instead of trying to hide them. Mine have a way of popping to the surface unannounced. I just discovered "The Art of Spousing" on social media and Apple Podcasts, and I'm looking forward to exploring their topics and resources more. Another tool to go into our marriage toolbox!
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