All the cool kids are doin it

Chapter 7

1) Absolutely LOVED the story of the cracked pot! Possibly my favorite part of the chapter.
         
          "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize that I have only been able to deliver half of my            
           water to your house. There is a crack in my side which causes water to leak out. Because of my
           flaws, you don't get full value from your effort." (I've probably said this nearly verbatim to God
          several times)

        "That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it."

2) As I read this chapter about brokenness and about leading out of weakness, I wrestled with the predicament of using brokenness to acquire love in addition to the pressure, not of struggling, but of struggling perfectly. I feel like this is the case in many amazing believing communities. I've certainly felt this pressure at times at Sonshine; a place where we are highly encouraged to be honest about weakness and brokenness. It's as if it becomes impressive to be broken or to struggle with a Godly perspective. It's the "cool" thing to do and to share. Man that just shouldn't be the point of confession. But I've certainly caved to it before. (It's almost the opposite of Scazzero) This is not to say that leading out of weakness is a bad thing, just that it can be manipulated in such an ugly way.

Chapter 8

My first thought when I saw the title of this chapter was, "Oh this totally doesn't apply to me. I don't have a problem saying no to things or people."... WRONG! again. Notorious for sticking my foot in my mouth even if it's mentally. I think God really gets a kick out of that.

I found the idea of setting limits, being able to say no, and self care to be extraordinarily freeing. Also, loved the bridge story at the beginning! Really just such a good picture.

I think I find setting limits more challenging with people than with tasks/areas of service. I think this might be why Barney coordinating seems daunting to me. It feels like I've got 32 ropes with dangling Barney's in my hand (certainly this is not the hanger model that it should be). The "I-don't-want-to-be-challenged-with-this" part of me wants to drop them all and make a run for it.  But as Scazzero said, I think this is more a result of a character flaw than over extending limitations.

Parker Palmer quote = fabulously insightful and loaded with truth

***"In the coming world, they will not ask me, 'Why were you not Moses [insert name of person I compare myself to]?' They will ask me, 'Why were you not [Katie]?' The true vocation for every human being is, as Kierkegaard, "the will to be oneself."

This just reminded me so much of the Willie Juan story for some reason. I need this quote so badly everyday. Favorite part of this chapter. Speaks to my soul.