Vulnerability: Introducing Sir Theodore Charles

Vulnerability is beautiful. The hard part about it, is exposing the parts of yourself you truely wish to hide from the world and from others. I think so often we are inclined to judge a person's insecurities and faults before we get to know them. Or Maybe its that some push people away in a need to understand themselves and the judgement is a front to illuminate protection. Irregardless of the reason or root cause, love is missing in us and those around us. I am not just saying this because I have a love for the Lord and people in my life, no it is because  we as individuals need to be restored and renewed that we simply are and exist. Rushing through and passing by, this practice makes it difficult to see what we are missing. We don't do it on purpose, but we do it often. Going through the motions, posting on social media how fantastic things are, and running through time. I wonder if we could expose that which we hide. I wonder if we could have a powerful care towards one another even if we can't stand a person. In college, I had a really good friend who gave me a teddy bear who I named Sir Theodore Charles. At first glance, you think that is childish to have one since I was an adult in school. think again. I was going through a difficult time with my first love and we went through a gigantic rough patch in which caused a rift. I held that bear as I moved dorm halls and had new roommates who weren't as friendly one year. That bear got me throw the trial of not passing an upper division course because I was caught source sighting improperly. The bear eventually became my hidden comfort also when I came to find the other side of the bed to be as lonely even if a guy lay there. I was ashamed to share that this bear was mine and even now. Most people would probably gawk and laugh and say "Um wait how old are you?" When my grandmother was younger she had a doll, so did my mother. I am certain we outgrow that which we keep; however, I can't help but also believe everyone has their own secret their own willpower within us. God is my protector and this bear is my hug to myself. Vulnerability is maturity. It shows what we harbor inside and what we want others to never see. Seems pretencious of the society to instruct us to cover up our flaws and insecurities, maybe the dark side as it were. if we want to really grow and release any shame, fear, or sadness built up, we have to be willing to shine a light on what makes us who we are. A puppeteer named David visits the classroom of the kinders I teach on Sundays. I thought this guy was weird, as in Ronald McDonald weird. He has a pet mouse on a stick who he does the Jeff Dunham version of voicing the animal for the kids. Gradually, as sessions went on, I began to see the importance of Mr. Whiskers to the children. The animal character lets the kids be themselves and they connect with him and tell all of their concerns. For example, one boy mentioned he was fighting with his siblings. A 4-5yr old suddenly is being real and they are only in kindergarten! The vulnerability is the same for us as adults. We would like to protect "the child" in us, does not matter the age. You hit the right trigger or personal matter, and invincibility or the outward I am fine or strong vanishes. Wouldn't it be great, a dream, silly perhaps, but a dream that in time the curtain comes down. Michael Bond was the creator of Paddington Bear, an adorable series about a humanlike bear and his adventures. This bear became Bond's buddy and even admits he left him on the train and thought he'd lost him forever! Bond can cherish a bear and admit how it helped transform his life and so too I pray can we, bear or no bear. Theodore is reminding me its 1am and I need sleep, nite nite all.