One of my favorite movies of all time is The Quiet Man staring John Wayne and my very favorite redhead Maureen O'Hara. Now Maureen O'Hara is the ultimate redhead, in my opinion. She is strong, opinionated, smart, proud and definitely passionate. Oh yeah and with a stubborn streak a mile wide. That's me all over!!
Have you seen this movie? If not, I highly recommend it!! Anyway, John Wayne plays Sean Thornton an American boxing champion who retires from the ring after an accident and returns to his mother's homeland of Ireland. In the movie, he and Maureen hit it off like a match to dynamite. And it's love at first sight and after a tumultuous courtship they are are married and trust me, it doesn't get any less stormy. There is a scene in the movie where she is trying to bring him down a peg and decides to leave him to prove a point and so heads off to catch the train before he wakes up one morning. Sean Thornton finds out in the nick of time and gallops to town on his black steed to catch her before the train leaves. Mad as hell, he jumps from his horse, snatches his woman by the arm, and proceeds to drag her on foot the "whole, long way" back to their farm. (Needless to say the five mile march home makes for some great comedy along the way.) Long story short, after that she is as meek as a kitten, because she knows she has met her match. He understands her and because of that he is the only man who won't let her pull any crap.
Guess what. I may have met mine. Not in a romantic way but this man has definitely made an impression. You see, this past Monday, I was in a major fight with God. And I was not winning. I had been praying for help, and God sent it, but I wasn't pleased with how He showed up. He sent my friend, (my very own Sean Thornton) who offered exactly the help I had prayed for, but this is the last person I wanted to see me vulnerable. Truth be told, I hate letting anyone see me vulnerable, but having "Sean" witness it was, in my mind, the worst thing ever. I was embarrassed to appear incapable or frail in front of him so as a defense mechanism, my pride got up and that stubborn streak showed its self. And in true Maureen O'Hara fashion, I was spoiling for a fight and I was determined to win. But y'know, he didn't let me pull any crap. "Sean" has this way was saying my name that stops me in my tracks and the sound of it just won't let me shut him out. It's not angry, nor does he even raise his voice. It's not sexual either, but there is power in that one word. It's like kryptonite. It just takes all the fight out of me. Then my friend wrapped me in a big, warm hug and we talked. I have to say that Sean didn't get his way because I still couldn't bring myself to accept his offer, but I can still say he won because I made progress by allowing myself to be vulnerable in front of him and our conversation yielded some really good ideas.
Later, when I hugged him good-bye I was left standing in the middle of the living room in complete amazement. "OMG! I realized in that moment that I could be completely myself in front of him! He can handle "The Redhead!" Looks like God was right after all. He sent exactly the right person to help me, redheaded stubborn streak and all. =)
It's been a few days now and I've had time to go over the events of that day. Hmmm... What have I learned? Well, first of all, that when God shows up, it should never be questioned no matter how much it hurts my pride. Sean, was acting with honor and respect for our friendship by offering to help. I love to find ways to be of service to those I care about so why should that be any different for him? He has no idea that even though I was stubborn and refused his help, I appreciate the fact that he showed up to make the offer in the first place. Second, that it's okay to ask for and accept help. I don't have to be "Miss Independent" all the time. I can't possibly have all the answers or skills to accomplish a task. All in all, it was an excruciatingly humbling experience but I'm grateful for it and I like knowing that I have a friend in my life who won't let me pull any crap.
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