The Power Of Showing Up

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

Sitting in the semidarkness of our middle school’s theater, I chatted with fellow parents I’ve known since our children’s kindergarten years. We were waiting for the lights to dim and the play performance to begin—a murder mystery with Jon playing the twirly-mustached killer while Lizzie helped with lights and sound on the tech crew.

I couldn’t help a small smile as I noticed out of the corner of my eye that a beloved, familiar woman had slipped quietly into a nearby seat. Karen Kruse, elementary music teacher, piano instructor, and second mom to thousands, had made room in her busy schedule to watch her Madison Elementary kids perform.

Karen is a world changer cleverly disguised as an ordinary woman. Because of her role as a teacher, she knows the needs her students and their families face and is constantly looking for ways to fill those gaps. She undercharges for lessons because she knows the transformative power of sitting on a piano bench alongside a loving adult week after week in relational instruction. She advocates without shaming, meeting needs with a loving hug instead of condemnation or humiliation, even before someone has their act together. Of everyone I know, it’s Karen who beautifully “shows up” consistently, unfailingly.

Much of what I’m learning about being a woman who loves God and others has been gained while walking alongside Karen, and I am forever grateful. She’s provided an informal apprenticeship in the day-to-day, showing up as a form of love in action. She’s modeled how to love well, despite the inherent messiness of the human condition.

Showing up is different from merely dropping money into the basket passed during a Sunday service, although sharing our resources is certainly a critical part of loving God and others well. Showing up requires us to draw near with relational, tangible support while maintaining the other person’s respect and dignity, which can be a tricky balance. Finding someone to walk alongside as we learn to show up with compassionate humility is a beautiful gift and never one to underestimate or take lightly.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Who “shows up” well in your circles? Let them know that you appreciate their example, even as you build that skill set yourself.