Courage

When you hear the word Courage... what comes to mind? A definition from the Webster dictionary? A specific person? A specific time in your life, or someone else's? A song? Courage -- to me -- is when one has to do something, say something, they are scared to do, that is going to be hard for them or for another person. I think of it as when one has to step past hard times, push oneself to move on through tough times, to continue getting up each morning when things seem hopeless, or no end in sight. To be stronger than one ever thought one could be. To do the right thing, even if no one else is. To live with passion and compassion. To keep fighting for one's desires, for one's hopes and dreams no matter what! So many people, family and friends and strangers, come to mind when I think of being courageous... I would love to name them all, but their names will stay in my heart for right now. :) They are so strong, so positive, so much a role model! Such amazing individuals I look up to each and everyday.  I came across this recently about courage....

"Everything in life requires courage. Whether it is playing football or coaching football; crossing the room to ask a woman on a date or rekindling a love that has grown cold; whether it's your first day at college or your first day back at college after twenty years; starting a business, battling a potentially fatal disease, getting married, struggling to overcome an addiction, or coming humbly before your God in prayer: Life requires Courage."

I just think it defines courage perfectly. No matter what we are doing in our life, it all requires courage. Life is courage. As I was starting this past week on Sunday... I was nervous, I was scared. I knew it was going to be a hard week for me, for certain reasons that I don't really want to talk about. But what I do want to tell you, is about how God knows best. How I came to see, for again another time, that Jesus never leaves us, and shows Himself to us through others everyday. When each morning and many times throughout the day, I pray for courage, for strength, for hope, for healing to get me through this day, this week, this moment.  When hard moments take me by surprise, and I want to say to Jesus, "What are you trying to do to me? Come on, help me out here!"  But then He does... through other people, through things I read that seem to speak to my heart.  Of course He is going to help me, all I have to do is ask. He wants to be with me through every moment of my day. So when I get a 'real' letter in the mail from a best friend, just saying "I'm thinking of you."  Or when I get a text out of the blue, from a dear friend who is like a grandma to me, just saying "How are you? I'm praying for you and love you."  Or when I get to dog sit at short notice for friends to have a buddy to share my evenings/nights with for a few days. Or when a new friend tells me that they are so glad they met me.  Or when my little daffodils finally bloom to say spring is here. And all that happens during the week I was dreading. I can guarantee you that all those acts of kindness, all those water of graces, were from Jesus. Saying have faith, trust, hope; have courage.... I love you so much.

This YouTube video is about 6 mins, and so worth watching. I hope it brings you the courage to keep going too! Don't give up! Follow your heart! Find what you Love!

Motivation Video