The Thing You Never Knew You Had

When I was a teenager I loved theme park rides. Fast, high, or topsy-turvy—didn’t matter.

The rush of adrenaline and the thrill of the moment trumped any reservations or fear, and I loved the heady sense of accomplishment that came afterward.

Ahhh. Youth.

Today I go for rides that are much tamer in comparison. I’m less inclined to tackle anything that defies gravity or that’s remotely off-the-chart scary.

And still…

I write.

Now, writing isn’t a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, or Tilt-A-Whirl, but still there’s a certain amount of resolve and vulnerability involved. A certain amount of courage.

And courage is the very thing we’ll need when we step out on faith and move beyond our comfort zones, whether it’s a theme park ride, blogging, writing, or life.

It’s the thing we don’t think we have until the chips are down and our hand is forced.

It’s revealed when we drop the façade and go for broke.

That alone demands courage.

Trying to be someone/something we’re not ranks right up there with getting a root canal. It’s time-consuming, costly, and often, uncomfortable.

Yet, we make the choice.

As we mature, we realize what a waste of energy wearing facades can be. God understands that we aren’t Suzy Sunshine or Dynamic Dan all the time. Life happens. Pain comes. Fear camps out. It’s all part of the seasoning process.

Why are we afraid to drop the facades and just be real?

Are we afraid that if people see the “real us” they’ll not like what they see? Or are we just afraid?

I’m one who tends to see the glass half full. Seeing the positive despite a dark situation and staying upbeat when circumstances are dire are ways I cope when the heat is on.

Is it easy?

Not usually.

Is it stick-my-head-in-the-sand mentality?

Uh uh. I realize the stakes, but I often refuse to accept defeat.

Is it fake?

Nope. It’s just the kind of person I am. Pollyanna and all. But I refuse to wear a façade.

Folks who know me well know:

I’m not perfect. I don’t pretend to be.

Please don’t ask my opinion if you truly don’t want to know. I will tell you. Honestly, but lovingly.

I understand candid, frank, and forthright. Rudeness, mean-spiritedness, and hard-heartedness not so much.

I love people. I like encouraging them.

I like to smile and it gives me joy when one’s returned.

Courage is a trait I strive for.

Now, what about this thing called courage? Can anyone have it?

Because of Christ, I believe courage is something that’s available to all of us. (If you’d like to find out how to have a relationship with Him, please click on this link.)

Courage is:

Bravery under fire.

Tackling the difficult.

Owning our feelings.

Admitting our faults.

Dropping facades.

Choosing authentic.

Facing our fears.

Dancing in the sunlight.

Rejoicing despite the odds.

Demonstrating faith.

If you’re reading this and thinking, Well, it’s easy for her. She’s never faced the same hardships I have, you’re partly right. My hardships are indeed different, but none of them have ever been easy, kind, or fair.

And I’ve adopted courage so I can persevere.

You can, too!

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What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

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Here’s to a courage-filled day! clink

Blessings Always,