Day 3: For the month of October, I’ve joined over 1600 other writers in a 31 Day writing challenge. You can read more about it and see the participating blogs at write31days.com  Here is the starting page for 31 Days of My Search for Balance: Body, Mind, and Soul. From there you can find all of my October posts. 

I have no idea how I found her blog, but Glennon Melton Doyle is my new favorite person in the universe. Her raw honesty, her bravery in the midst of pain, her humor in every day life, and her willingness to be love fiercely even when it’s hard is inspiring.

Yesterday she posted about something she read on the Internet that inspired her to DO something, to put her love into action. A young mama had lost her son Liam and people were honoring that grief by releasing a red balloon. When the author of Momastery read this, she was touched as were many mama’s hearts. Rather than simply grieving with this mama, she got into her car, dr0ve to the dollar store, got a red balloon, and released it. She wrote a post about it. And she was met with posts – not about how sad it is for this mama, but how bad balloons are for the environment, and by the way, you released your balloon on the wrong day. (Disclaimer: yes, I know balloons are bad for the environment. But the point is the response, and Glennon’s response).

As anyone knows who writes in a public forum, it can feel like walking around naked, because emotionally, we are naked. Glennon’s response is honest and brave. At first she lied, saying she KNEW what day it was. Then she clicked on the links and looked at the pictures of baby birds dying from balloons.

And then – SHE WROTE HONESTLY ABOUT IT.

Hey guys, if you want to know what it means to live bravely and love fiercely, this is it. Every day I love this woman and her blog more and more. She works so hard to keep her tender heart open, which can be excruciating in the midst of embarrassment and pain. I long to retreat in those times, to hide away and never come out again.

I’m trying to change my old motto of “I hate people”, but sometimes they make it so damn hard! One of the most difficult exercises in my life right now is when something causes me extreme discomfort, to sit with it, and lean in to the discomfort. Take in both sides and sort through it in love and grace. It’s SO HARD. I’d rather lie, or get defensive, or withdraw and not have to deal with it.

Being brave is leaning in even when it tears your heart apart. It’s staying with the discomfort until the heart of God whispers “Let’s walk through this to the other side, to the love and grace side. To the truth telling and hope spreading side.” I’m finding this is the difference from being a mere survivor to a WARRIOR. Carry on, Sweet Glennon ❤️