Let's Get Awkward
For those of you who have met me in person, you have likely met many of my various personas. Perhaps you’ve danced with Wedding Alex (or watched the spectacle unfold from afar). Maybe you’ve cried with Free Range Tears Alex. You’ve likely witnessed Hot Mess Mom Alex running after one of the kids in a parking lot. All of these personas are shadowed by the infamous Awkward Alex. Awkward Alex has been raging in full glory since 1987 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It’s Awkward Alex who snorts pop out of her nose when someone tells a joke. It’s Awkward Alex who doesn’t get the memo that prayer time is over and just hangs out in silence for a while. It’s Awkward Alex who gets a little too enthusiastic when she learns about a complete stranger’s mild interest in Doctor Who. While I have tried my best to restrain Awkward Alex as I mature, she still manages to burst her way into the conversation.
Boldly Enter the Awkwardness
As you can imagine, Awkward Alex shows up even at seemingly inappropriate times. Over the past year, I have asked the Lord to use the grief our family has experienced for His glory. I have asked Him to keep Awkward Alex in check and to restrain the words coming out of my mouth. I have asked for His eyes to see the hurting and for Him to strengthen my armor as I obediently follow Him into the suffering of others. To put it mildly, He has answered with abundance. Strangely enough, I have been surprised to see Awkward Alex show up, too. However, this version of Awkward Alex has been emboldened and infused with a heart for the hurting and is unashamed to enter socially uncomfortable situations. By embracing the awkwardness rather than fleeing from it, a once-crippling character flaw has transformed into a superpower. Awkward Alex isn’t afraid to hold someone’s hand and cry with them as they process through emotional experiences. She dares to ask about the life of a beloved family member who has deceased and listens to stories about them. When a friend exhibits signs of depression, she dares to privately follow up and offer support. Grief has refined the awkwardness into a compassionate love for others. The pain of loss has softened the ridges of awkwardness into bravery. The Lord answered my prayer request in a way only He could; He hasn’t taken away my character flaw of awkwardness, yet He is renewing it and transforming it into a weapon for the Kingdom. Instead of seeking the comfort of following societal norms and protocols, I’m following His lead towards that awkward, uncomfortable unknown world of the hurting. So, how can we all get a little more awkward?
#1: Hard Questions and Awkward Conversation Topics
Asking hard questions does not come naturally to most of us; as a society, we often like to keep conversation simple. We like tidy, polite questions like “How are you?” and “How’s it going?” rather than deeper questions like “How is your marriage?” Very rarely will we venture into awkward conversation topics like mental health, faith, addiction or grief.
Very rarely will we dare to get... awkward.
As we consider the depth of our questions and willingness to explore clunky conversation topics, let’s first consider how Jesus approached His ministry. He dined with sinners (Matthew 9:10-12), He intentionally violated the Jewish law of cleanliness to heal the hurting (Luke 5:12-13), and compassionately interceded on the behalf of society’s undignified members (John 8:3-11). He chose the hurting over His social standing and “dignity.” Jesus was less concerned about the social ramifications of His ministry in His pursuit to exemplify love.
#2: Real Answers
Paired with the idea of asking hard questions is the preparedness to receive real answers. When someone answers a hard question with honesty, are we shocked and repulsed by what we see? When someone shares that their marriage is crumbling, do we hold them at an arm’s length or do we press in and encourage them? When someone shares that they are walking through a season of depression, do we quickly change the subject to something more comfortable or do we walk alongside them and encourage them with truth?
Throughout Scripture, Jesus repeatedly proved that no one was too far from His love or care. When the Pharisees pointed out the sin of the dinner guests in Matthew 9, Jesus didn’t get up and leave to save His reputation. He stayed. Though Jesus could have healed the leper in Luke 5 from a distance, Jesus risked being viewed as “culturally unclean” and touched him. When Jesus learned of the adultress’s sin in John 8, He could have stepped back and allowed the justice system to address her sin. But, He interceded for her and extended mercy. Unconcerned about reputation, sickness or societal norms, Jesus chose the hurting. He chose to be socially and culturally awkward so that He could best love the marginalized.
The Sammi Day Challenge
We’ve talked about getting awkward, so now what? Well, I have a great opportunity for you to get AWKWARD. On Thursday, September 5th, Sammi would have turned four years old. Last year, Katie had the brilliant idea of celebrating Sammi in the same way Sammi celebrated others. Instead of giving birthday gifts to Sammi, Katie thought we should give gifts to others on “Sammi Day.” On September 5th, let’s take a step of boldness and get AWKWARD on “Sammi Day.” Friends, let’s do this! Mark it on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone, put sticky notes on your mirror or whatever it takes to remind you to get out there and get awkward. Here are a few ideas:
Make and deliver treats for neighbors, coworkers, or a local shelter
Take an old friend (or a new friend!) out for coffee
Share your story with someone who needs to hear it
Volunteer at a local shelter
Commit FOUR random acts of kindness for a complete stranger
Do something AWESOME with the kids in your life (nieces/nephews, friends, etc.)
Use your time/gifts/talents/resources to bless a family in need
September 5th is NEXT THURSDAY, so here’s my big request: would you join our family and celebrate Sammi Day? If you are a Jesus-follower, would you pray and ask the Lord to use you in a big way? Would you ask Him to bring people to mind? I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that He can and will use YOU as a tangible extension of His love. Would you get AWKWARD with our family and love others well? Follow along with the hashtag #SammiDay to see what others are doing! Or, click here to see what others did last year!
Encouragement to Get Awkward
As we build deep, God-honoring relationships with those around us, let’s embrace our inner llama. Let’s press into deep questions that render meaningful answers. Let’s abandon the circle of comfortable, polite conversation. Let’s choose others with our questions and responses. Let’s use #SammiDay as an opportunity to choose others and love others well!
Photo from 2009: The result of the request to “take a normal picture”
