Let's All Be Brave... in our own way!

It was a year ago this week that my husband was going in for his 3rd knee surgery.

As I was telling a girlfriend the schedule for surgery day, 

when I came to the part of him being put under, I paused.

An unexpected lump came into my throat and I almost lost it.

As I fought back tears, my friend said, "It's no big deal.  It's not heart surgery!"

Um... WHAT?

I was very aware of the fact that this was not a life or death surgery, but there is always risk when you're under anesthesia and beside, this is MY husband!

I was scared.

As I posted in the beginning of this year, my one word for the year is
BRAVE.

I didn't pick it.

It picked me.

I've been working on a project that is taking me out of my comfort zone and I assumed that the word BRAVE would apply to this new venture.

It does.

But that's not all.

This is a challenging week for me personally and whereas I'm more than aware that many are facing far more difficult circumstances, some life and death, this is MY tough circumstance and I need to be BRAVE.

Bravery looks different for everyone.

For some, being brave means walking away from a difficult relationship.

For others, being brave means staying, and working through it.

Being brave could mean taking a risk and following your dream,

writing that book, launching that company, going on that mission trip...

Or being brave might mean trusting your life into someone's hands for a time, giving up control.

I know it is different for everyone, that's why I will not compare my brave moments to yours.

For no matter how extreme or different the circumstances, bravery demands the same of all of us - 

Trust.

Ultimately I know I can be BRAVE this week because I trust the God that made me.

I trust His word to be true and I trust that He will do exactly what He says He will do.

Every time.

All the time.

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

****

Life is promised to bring everyone challenges.
Some are extremely difficult and others are mildly uncomfortable, but

Let's All Be Brave!

And encourage one another to trust God's promises to be true.
He is with us, so we can be
BRAVE.

Be Brave and Jump!

Happy Friday!

Each day has been a new opportunity for me to be Brave in some small way or another.

Being Brave is so much more than heroic courage that runs into a burning building to save someone!

Being Brave means setting aside the limits of self and taking the next step - maybe a jump.

We stand at the edge of a cliff, a decision, a moral crisis, a small choice.

We have to make the move to stay put, safe, and just look at what lies beneath, 

or to be Brave and jump!

Sometimes the hardest step is the first one, but after we are Brave and jump, we find that there are great rewards waiting on the other side.

This morning I'm faced with a small decision - 

to jump into a new experience where I won't know anyone and will feel uncomfortable - yet reap great rewards when it's finished,

or

stay home and be safe.

As much as I'd rather stay home,

I'm going to be Brave and jump!

What areas of life do you need to be Brave and just jump into?

Happy Weekend!

Brave

Happy New Year!

2016

As is my tradition, I spent the morning of January 1, 2016 on the beach alone.

I've done this for as many years as I can remember - my time to reflect on the year that just ended and look ahead to the one just beginning.

With my journal, Bible and thermos of hot tea, I sat and stared at the placid ocean before me.

I got out and began to walk on the shore and happily enjoyed what Winter does to the beach -
the sand changes, little cliffs form, and bigger rocks and shells scallop the water's edge.

I looked down to see some larger than normal pieces of sea glass.

Pure treasure.

There was the normal green and brown glass, but I also spotted some unusual clear glass that had become frosted with the days of being worn down by the sand and sea.

"What must have broken to cause such large pieces of sea glass?"
I wondered.

The brown and green glass - beer bottles we all assume!

But the large pieces of clear glass?

What has to break to make such beautiful things?

That very question stuck with me as I walked.

Of course God makes beauty out of ashes, He redeems and makes all things new.

He takes our broken pieces and makes something beautiful out of them.

But what if breaking is intentional from the start, in order to create something beautiful?

Not just redeeming the brokenness, but purposing the breaking?

I sought the clear glass as I continued to walk, thrilled at each discovery!

When I got back to my car, I pulled out my journal and began reflecting on 2015.  But I also pondered 2016 in light of that question, "What has to break to make something beautiful in my life?"

I've had some ideas, dare I say "dreams," about some things but I'm a little insecure about them.

I don't know how to accomplish these dreams.

I'm afraid. 

What needs to break to make something beautiful in my life?

The strongholds of fear and insecurity that paralyze me - that's what needs to break!

As I journaled and reflected, my "one word" for 2016 came to me.

My one word for the year was hanging around my neck:

Brave

I saw this necklace, created by two beautiful women, that simply says "Brave"

When I read the inspired verse on Rebekah Gough's website, I knew I had to have it

"But you, GOD, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to GOD, His answers thunder from the holy mountain."
Psalm 3:3-4

 the Shield Collection was done in collaboration with Goldpress Paper and lettered by the amazing Alisha Sanvicens (who was a student in my college ministry).

I asked for it for Christmas and when I opened it,
I just knew it was more than a piece of jewelry for me.

This is my badge to wear this year.

I will not be bound by fear or insecurities.

By the power of God within me, I will break these strongholds and be Brave and watch beautiful things come from my life this year.