When I was a little girl, my Dad taught me some serious Stranger Danger:

at the mall

at the grocery store

at the vet

at the post office

outside the school waiting for pick up

I’m pretty sure my Dad had watched some horrific 20/20 special at one point and never got the image of a stolen little girl out of his head. (Dads everywhere nod in agreement.)

My Dad also taught me some serious hospitality:

at home

at the mall

at the grocery store

at the vet

at the post office

outside anywhere, waiting for any reason

He was the first to introduce himself, the first to start a conversation, the first to track someone down in Walmart because he wanted to tell them he liked their shirt. (Teens everywhere roll their eyes with understanding.)

What’s with the juxtaposition? How do these two things fit together in any way?

We find ourselves back at one of my favorite concepts…

living in the &.

Life isn’t simple. Parenting isn’t simple, and relationships are far from simple.

There is a place for both vulnerability - for letting people in, and for having a sense of openness to humanity and what God can do in relationship - and also having boundaries - knowing your own limits, and making sure you and your loved ones are both known, but also safe.

In today’s podcast, we look at the place of living in that &, in both vulnerability and boundaries.

Here’s one insight from the podcast you won’t want to miss:

Vulnerability without grace in return, closes the relationship

Vulnerability with grace in return, opens the relationship in safety and growth

Up Next: Dear Church, Lack is Killing Our Joy

In the Meantime: In the comments tell us your thoughts - when was a time a relationship required strong boundaries? Where in your relationships can you open yourself up to greater vulnerability because of grace?

More on Life in the &s in my video and book study The Mighty and The Mysterious

Get the study