Strength in Fragility

Lately, signs of the fragility of the world and its people have become increasingly apparent. Large swaths of the rain forest are burning in Brazil, ice sheets are rapidly melting in Iceland, diseases are starting to become immune to antibiotics, and persons with fragile egos are going on shooting rampages. Closer to home, several of our sisters have been banged up in falls, and one of our volunteers is recovering from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. How do we respond to these signs of fragility?

First, we can interact with others with as much kindness as we can muster. As Rev. John Watson noted, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” We treat people who have bruises and broken bones with sympathy because their injuries are visible, but many people are carrying financial, caregiving, mental health, or family-related burdens that we know nothing about. Any kind or affirming word we offer might be a lifeline to help them get through the day.

Second, we can remember that, ironically, those who are truly strong accept their own fragility with equanimity instead of wasting their energy fighting against it. In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, former football star Tim Green, who has the degenerative neuromuscular disease ALS, said the following: “When people tell me, ‘God bless you, “ I say, ‘He already has.’” Instead of being bitter about his disease, he is grateful for the many blessings of his life and is focusing on the things he can still do, such as writing, raising funds for ALS research, and being with his family. Facing our human fragility  can teach us humility and strengthen our spirit.

Finally, we can remember that for God, “darkness itself is not dark, and night shines as the day” (Ps 139:12). It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the environmental and human rights challenges facing us, but God who created the universe has a different perspective, and we can trust in the light of that vision. Our earthly home and our very lives will grow strong in the broken places.