I show up.
No one makes me; I just
do.
To the desk,
the gym,
the pew,
the kitchen sink,
the laundry room,
the baby shower,
the coffee date,
the midnight bedside—
If I say I’ll be there do that thing be that person,
I will,
often early.
But what looks like consistency dedication reliability
is actually
compulsion.
I show up
because I can’t not—
because if I don’t,
I might crack under the internal pressure of
broken words disappointed smiles half apologies and
“oh.”
It’s just the way I’m wired.
But,
I am learning a new way—
an unforced rhythm
of grace.
One that says no,
leave it until morning,
play a little longer,
sleep,
be five minutes late,
doing will not save you.
One that says come,
lay down what is urgent
at the feet
of what’s important.
One that unburdens my accountability
and lays it on stronger shoulders.
A way that calls the truth to life.
Now I show up—
or not or late or badly—
but with greater joy,
greater wanna,
greater yes,
and alwaysalwaysalways
with grace.
This post is part of Five-Minute Friday. This week’s prompt is ACCOUNTABILITY. If you’d like to join in the fun, click here!
Beautiful! Such a great reminder that God’s grace is greater than any of our efforts and mistakes.
Thank you! I find I need that reminder waaaaaay more often than I’d like to admit. 😂
“An unforced rhythm of grace”. Oh, how I love that thought! Thanks for sharing a wealth of encouragement and truth.
This is lovely. Yes, there is such beauty in the balance between wanting to and feeling pressured to, between the urgent and the important.
I agree with Joyce…”an unforced rhythm of grace” is marvelous, except it makes me have to remember how to spell rhythm.
I don’t show up because I’m nice,
or to pass compassion’s test;
I take an old gunny’s advice:
“Show up ’cause you’re the best,
Make your feet beat reveille
to the squad bay floor,
then ensure that you will be
first man out the door.
They say you shouldn’t volunteer
for nothin’ and that’s…uh, nonsense,
’cause war will make it very clear
that all you learn ’bout it
in them voluntary classes
will save your and your brother’s…uh, backsides.”
Ellie this is beautiful. Blessings.
~Selah ~
FMF#12
Love this.
Thanks for sharing.