Vulnerability Friday 5

Sally brings us this somber F5:

It seems almost crass to post a Friday 5 after Mary-Beth's last post and prayer request for our dear Gannet Girl and her family. So I hope that folk will take this in the spirit with which it is offered; that of continuing prayer and concern tempered by the knowledge that we are called both to weep and to rejoice with our communities.

I have recently been reading a book entitled Jesus wept, it is all about vulnerability in leadership. The authors speak of how Jesus shared his earthly frustrations and vulnerabilities with a select group of people. To some he was the charismatic leader and teacher, to others words of wisdom were opened and explained and some frustrations shared, to his "inner circle of friends: Peter, James and John, he was most fully himself, and in all of these things he was open to God.

So I bring you this weeks Friday 5:

1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?

I'm not a terribly private person, most of the time, but I do have some strong self-protective instincts. I share pretty freely up to a point, and then keep things to myself.

2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?

In the sense of meeting expectations, it's important to be perceived as professional in certain settings. But it's always served me well to become close to parishioners and to be more "human" with them. Well, not always, but few people have taken advantage of that. Perhaps it's because I am very empathetic--I've been working over the years to develop a balance between professional distance and empathy.

3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...

Very much so, but like a mischievous child, I tend to peek out from behind it from time to time. I don't really know how to be anyone but myself.

4. Who knows you warts and all?

My bestest friend in the world, Tonya, who lives in Germany. She knows everything and she loves me anyway.

5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.
Hmmm...this is tough one. There are many, and I've mentioned To Kill A Mockingbird and the music of Chris Rice and Rich Mullins before. St. Patrick's Breastplate, perhaps?