Everyone is Broken

I forget this. Everyone has their stuff. Their fears and insecurities. Most of this comes up as I a spend more time with those closest to me. I start to feel them annoying me, maybe being selfish, maybe not seeing me as an individual. I'm feeling myself get angry. And that anger may be justifed. Yet when I stop and think. I pause for a moment. I begin to see how they are maybe as afraid as or more afraid than I am in that moment. The fears just manifest themselves differently and my interpretation of that expression of fear is being seen through my own flawed brokenness.

And at that moment I have the capacity to love, to empathize. It is a moment of maturity when I can not only see myself but see others as well. Not dishonoring myself but also not dishonoring my companion.

My challenge is to hold both perspectives in tension. The fear and insecurity I own and the brokenness of my friend. Is this love?

I think of Jesus. When he was tired and needed rest and the crowds came. Wanting and Needing. And in the midst of his need for rest, saw the need of the people and offered healing and himself.