The Three R's

How did I get here?

This is not where I intended to be.

Please, let me return to where the road divided.

I can't see forward,

I can't see back.

This is a Reckoning.

You were not being fair.

I was trying my best.

They changed the rules.

I was so scared.

You were so mean.

It just isn't my fault.

I didn't know.

I couldn't see.

I didn't understand.

This is a Rumble.

I see your pain.

I caused your pain. 

Just because you couldn't love me doesn't mean I'm unloveable.

I can't go back but I'm willing to go forward.

I need your forgiveness.

I need to forgive myself.

I need to change.

This is a Revolution.

Rising Strong can be described in three acts, the reckoning, the rumble, and the revolution. Let me use the story of Mary and Martha as an example.

Luke 10:8 "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall never be taken away from her."

This seems like a reckoning moment to me. Martha let resentment push her to seek first the attention of Jesus and then to ask him to intercede. I imagine the story she was rehearsing in her mind was very strong. In her story she was justified. But, then Jesus lovingly called her to task. Adjust your priorities, Martha. Here she comes to a fork in the road. Her relationship with the savior depends on how she chooses to respond. A rumble begins now. It can last a few moments or go on for months or even years. Some time later we have this account.

John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Has her rumbling with the story inside of her come to a revolution, a turning of her heart? She runs out to him. She is not disengaged. Speaking candidly she points out to Jesus that he should have come sooner but, she knows he has power to set things right. She has a testimony that he can do God's will. In a verse earlier John records, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazurus."

I like to think that his love encouraged her heart to revolve and change.

John 12:1 "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him supper; and Martha served."

Perhaps she successfully made it through the three acts of her story with integrity and grace. I think she did. I have had many reckonings and have rumbled with my emotions for months. Some of my stories have reached a revolution. I'd like to share some of them this month but only the ones I have resolved. Brené shares some doosies in her book. I love her stories because they are true to my own struggles. We all have reckonings and we all rumble with them. I have hope that we can write some new endings, endings where we are able to rise strong.

I am joining Kate Motaung and others who are writing every day in October. My intention is to record my reactions and feelings about Brené Brown's newest book, "Rising Strong". You can find the other posts I have written here.