Strength in Weakness

I recently went on a retreat to Colorado with a group from my college. After having a difficult summer, I was not sure that I was ready to be around people again. People that might see me. But I went anyway, and I was definitely changed when I came back. Here is something that I had written in my journal during the trip.

For as long as I can remember, all I ever wanted to be was invisible. I hid behind ballet, and theater, and horses. I layered on the makeup, just to feel secure. I thought that if I tried hard enough, I could be invisible. Because to me, being transparent was being weak. Being transparent would mean showing everyone how not strong you were. It would mean trusting that they would see the real you. It would mean trusting that they wouldn't see you as just another flaw or imperfection. But I knew that wouldn't happen. The people I was surrounded by were cruel, judgmental, and they would jump at the chance to hurt me further. They didn't care. So, I never said anything. I kept it all inside. Kept it all buried beneath my makeup, my fake smiling face, and my masks that I always wore. 

Let's re-imagine a case where that wasn't true. What if in our weakness we can be made strong? I know you've heard that said, and it seems kind of cheesy. But what if, it were actually true. I think by telling people our weaknesses we can begin to be made whole. Because that's what authentic community looks like. It's a group of people, building each other up in their weaknesses instead of judging and tearing each other down. What if community looked like that? What if we could bring that kind of community to everyone? What if a community was so strong that you grew closer through your weaknesses? I think that's what it's like to find strength in your weakness.