Courageousness seems relative. Sometimes I think it is courageous to go through this thing called “menopause”:) We have a friend who is running for public office- in today’s worlds that takes lots of courage. A new movie out “Courageous”, inspires men to be good husbands and fathers. Many would say it takes courage to audition for American Idol. To be sure, the men and women who put their lives on the line daily for the freedom of our country are courageous beyond compare.
Little boys are amazing as they develop their courage concepts:) When Evan was little, many times he WAS Hercules- making the universe SAFE from the evil demi-gods. He would wear about 7 swords around his waist, and draw an armor on his chest- drawing circles around his 4 year old nipples. That was hilarious to the rest of us, but to him- it was serious courageous business. He was prepared to fight to the finish to protect his family. Now, as he grows into a courageous young man-that isn’t too far from the truth.
 |
| Evan at 4 years old, protecting the world:) |
ADA COURAGE
I have been considering lately, however, a different kind of courage. The kind that goes unnoticed. The kind no one really cares about. The kind you might miss if you don’t look twice. The kind they never talk about on sports talk radio, or Entertainment Tonight. I call it “Ada Courage” because of the story I am about to tell you.
When I was a twenty-something, I worked as a Rec Therapist at a nursing home in Oregon. Ada was an uneducated 50 something woman who was an aid. For years she worked the hallway of the nursing home no one else wanted to work. She gave meticulous care to folks who could not respond to her mentally or physically. She courageously made sure her patients had no bedsores, and daily she washed them, fed them, and dressed them. Most days she needed to go the extra mile, and she did, willingly. She considered them her “people”. Many times, when I was done for the day, I would go seek out Ada, and she related to me the triumphs of the day. A slight smile, or brief eye contact. She would delight in these small victories. Ada lived her life daily in a quiet, courageous way. I admired her very much. She has gone to be with the Lord- without a lot of fanfare here on earth- but I am positive MUCH in Heaven.
My husband has “Ada courage” he quietly gives wise counsel to missionaries and administrators all over the world. He teaches young counselors the trade. Dave, the autistic fellow I told you about in a previous blog courageously lives his life to the best of his ability. The most poignant “Ada courage” I know of, however, is a missionary woman I knew long ago. She and her husband were almost finished with their translation of the bible in the local language, when he was brutally murdered by a mentally unstable language helper. This courageous woman, after a short time back in the States, went back to the mission field and finished the translation. She did it quietly, with much dignity, and more courage. There is more to that story, but I will save it for another blog.
COURAGE AND SAFETY
Sometimes I wonder about courage and safety. When I was a young mother, I prayed above all else, safety for my children. I implored God to keep them safe, at all cost. To my shame, I bargained with Him, telling Him I would do ANYTHING just please keep my children safe. A defining moment for me on this issue was Sept 11, 2001. When 9-11 hit, we were all horrified, to be sure. In the days that followed, my God taught me a huge lesson. None of us felt secure about our safety. We didn’t know if the USA was going to be invaded, or what would happen.
In those immediate days following, God spoke to me clearly telling me to give my kids to Him. I felt an overwhelming peace about trusting Him (not myself) with the safety of my children. It is hard for me even to express it in words- but my Jesus met me in my fear, and released me from it. A few years later, Anna went to study in Jerusalem, as a part of her master’s degree in Old Testament. I knew for a fact she was not always safe, but God amazingly gave me peace during that time.
BETTER PRAYER
A better way to pray for our children and grandchildren is to pray they grow up to be the courageous person God wants them to be. Resilient and strong, ready to face bravely, without fear, what life throws at them, safe or unsafe. Of course I still pray for their safety, but first and foremost I pray for them to be courageous. ALWAYS doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. I pray for them to have “Ada Courage”.
CS Lewis put it best in his well known excerpt out of the allegory, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, about Aslan, the Lion Emperor.
…“ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake” said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
What about you? Do something quietly courageous...TODAY.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete