Thursday, February 28, 2013

For those of you who are wondering what just happened...

So last Sunday, I went to see and hear Glennon Melton speak at a church here in Charlotte.
I wrote about her amazing talk here.


Glennon and the beautiful preacher man

On Sunday evening, Glennon and her sister, Amanda, sought me and found me in their massive Momastery facebook page fan-o-sphere, and they friended me. What? Who me?
Then they each wrote to me, actually sent me private messages.
WHAT? WHO ME???

Amanda and me

And then THIS happened. And a whole lot of Melton's Monkees, my sister Monkees, came a-calling on little old me. And leaving messages. And sending love. And praying for me. And lighting candles. And sending care packages. And inviting me over to sit and eat with them.

What? Who me?
Yes, me.
Why?

Because, as I have often said, I am determined to be kind to everyone I meet and see because we are all fighting great battles. I knew that Glennon was a bit reluctant about speaking in public, a bit nervous about being in rooms full of Monkees before she had herself fully together. She made me laugh as she described her terror, but it is terror nonetheless. For her, sitting in front of a crowd and baring her soul was going to feel a lot like entering into a fierce battle indeed.

So when I found out that she was coming to Charlotte, I knew that I had to go. I won't lie; I wanted to go mostly for me, because I wanted to be in the same room with one of my greatest teachers (and someone who I just know could easily be one of my best friends as well). But I also wanted to be there for her. I wanted to sit where I could see her, look into her eyes, and send her lasers of love. I wanted to be close enough so that my joy, my excitement, and my sheer awe at the woman that she is and the woman that she is becoming would be palpable for her. Understanding that perfect love casts out fear, I hoped that my deeply flawed and imperfect love would serve to divert fear - even just a little bit.

Apparently, she felt it. She felt buoyed by all the love in the room - and by my love in particular. Somehow the nods I nodded and the amens I uttered gave her space and caused her to feel safe enough to tell her story, her truth, and know that in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, all was well. For me to know that I was part of that, to know that she rode the wave of my love and support into revelations and stories that might not otherwise have been shared, that is a great honor, indeed.

Before you shake your head and click back over to facebook, let me be clear. This is not about me. It's not about my big, bald head nodding up and down. It's not about my few vocalized "amens."

This is about God. This is about grace.
This is about sisterhood. This is about community.
This is about presence. This is about paying attention.
This is about hope. This is about persistence.
This is about showing up. This is about leaving the measuring rod at home.
This is about feeling fear and doing the hard things anyway.
This is about fighting your own battles and supporting other warriors in theirs as well.
This is about how love wins.
This is about how love wins.

For those of you who are wondering about what just happened -
love just happened, my friends.

19 comments:

Karmen M. said...

preach on sister....adding your blog to my reading list.

Mary said...

I am another of the monkees who has now been led to your blog and who will be praying for your strength and healing as well as that peace that passes all understanding. Love that you and G made that connection...two special ladies for sure! She is amazing and I am thankful she has you for a friend.

Sarah Ochoa said...

fellow Monkee, Gail.

Amen.

Sarah Ochoa

beth said...

I am a monkee too and saw Glennon's post about you..... sending you some love tonight and prayers for healing too my dear! (I love that Glennon was so moved by your presence in that big crowd-ride that wave girl!) xo beth

Anna V. said...

you write so beautifully...you were meant to do this!

Inkling said...

I love this post. I came over here too from Glennon's blog. It's a season of life at the moment where community-in-skin is a little bit hard to find, but reading about it from you this way brings hope. Thank you for that. I needed hope today.

Unknown said...

I am glad I found you! You have so much to share, I look forward to reading through your blog. I am a homeschooling mama too.

Lucinda said...

Reading this post while Mumford and Son's "I Will Wait" happens to be playing in the background just feels like one of those cosmic moments of kairos time that Glennon wrote about awhile ago.

"So I'll be bold
As well as strong
And use my head alongside my heart
So tame my flesh
And fix my eyes
That tethered mind free from the lies

But I'll kneel down
Wait for now
I'll kneel down
Know my ground

Raise my hands
Paint my spirit gold
And bow my head
Keep my heart slow

Cause I will wait, I will wait for you"

Gail, friend, your spirit is gold. For sure.

I plan on being a reader every day. I hope today is one where you feel well, inside and out.

Lucinda

Kayla said...

Sister on, Gail. I feel so blessed to be reading your words today.

Kate S said...

love you, sweetie :)

Dolores said...

Gail - I also found you through Momastery and have added you to my favorites. I have several blogs that I love and read every post - but I don't comment. How selfish of me to accept the beauty, the inspiration, the joy they bring me and then not share that with the writer! I will try to do better.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful words, Gail. "Love just happened" - love this. As you may have guessed, I found your blog through Glennon's "Dear Gail" post which brought me to tears over her in-the-moment-have-to-meet-this-woman actions. What love she felt thanks to you. I've subscribed to your blog in my reader. Carry on, warrior! (P.S. I'm linking to Glennon's post and yours on my blog tomorrow at livewonderstruck.com)

Joyce said...

Divinely planted in one chair and it makes all the difference for two people. Such a blessing to have found you and see how this all plays out. Peace to you my new friend.

Joyce said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
GailNHB said...

Karmen - thank you so much for your comments, your support, and your love from afar. I pray that you find the support and healing you seek. I am honored to walk with you.

Lucinda, the lyrics you sent are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with me. My daughter loves Mumford and Sons; I guess I'm gonna have to start listening to them myself.

Inkling, it can be very hard to find a community in the flesh. Sometimes it shows up when least expect it - at a coffee shop, at the library, with a neighbor. I hope and pray that happens for you and that your heart, mind, ears, and eyes are wide open to receive it whenever and however it shows up in your life.

To all of you - thank you for reading, for commenting, for walking alongside me and each other on this life journey we are sharing at the moment. You have no idea how much your presence here has lifted my spirits, no idea. Peace be with every single one of you. Deep peace.

silky j said...

I too found you through Glennon's blog, I was so moved by both of your posts. I am so proud that I can know you through this blog. What a profound writer and warrior you are. Hugs to you!

Bethany said...

I too am a sister Monkee....

My you keep on riding the wave. I feel like I know you even though i've never met you.

God Bless you Monkee Gail. And much love from the Eastern side of the states..

Amanda said...

Thank you for the healing tears and for sharing your journey. <3 yet another Monkee.

Amanda said...

Thank you for the healing tears and for sharing your journey. <3 yet another Monkee.