Intimacy....

Intimacy is the result of a feeling of psychological and spiritual safety. It does not arise from love but as a consequence of growing toward that end. No matter what the context, one can only be intimate when one is free. Free in the security and safety of another human being and secure in God. The language of intimacy is transparency. Those who are intimate have no fear that the other would ever purposefully harm them. It is this foundation that begins the process of blossoming love. Can I take off mask? Can I show you who I really am? Will you accept my flaws, my humanity? Will you allow me to be human? Can I tell you about my hurts? Will you listen to my heart? Can I tell you what it is really like to be me?

I want that type of intimacy. I want to be with someone who will allow me to be a growing me. I want to be with someone who has nothing to hide. I know this person can truly love me and my children. I know that there life is guided by truth and not fear. Intimacy takes courage. Without courage one can not really be intimate. Secrets do not live the in the heart of the intimate. They try at all times to live in the light. Those are the type of people my soul pants for. That is the type of woman I want to marry. Those are the type of close friends I want as wise counsel.

I know that this is a tall order to be totally present in a relationship, in any relationship. This takes a great deal of patience, but it is so necessary in order for God or for the matter any person to grow and help another. I need you...I need you...I need you are the humbling words of intimacy. Not that my whole life in destroyed without you, no. Only that I can not do this on my own. I need the air just as much as I need the sea. I need you because I can accomplish no great purpose in life without you and to believe so is totally arrogant.

So let us examine ourselves...reflect.....seek to be free...to be intimate...to be open...too naked with no shame with those we do life with. Here I am...I refuse to live in darkness...I will stay in the light. In his book the Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren says, “Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. The more you are, the more of God's grace you get. You will also receive grace from others. Vulnerability is an enduring quality; we are naturally drawn to humble people,” he goes on to say,"...vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy."[page:276-277] Let us find people with whom we can do life with, because it is only in that space that we can truly be free. I hope that we are all able at some point in our lives to find people who will offer us this freeing force, intimacy. I love you all....and I am praying for you...