#courage #waterwalkinggirls
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Just 3 weeks ago our high school baseball season was kicked off by hosting the IP Classic and my daughter was practicing for her ballet recital. I was gearing up to begin the busiest few months of our family’s lives. Looking at my full calendar was overwhelming. I had begun getting into the mindset needed to meet our schedule by planning meals a week ahead and making all the plans necessary to be sure everyone was where they needed to be at the right times. At work I was looking ahead at the coming weeks and all the standards I would need to be sure to teach. Just 3 weeks ago. My how things have changed in just 3 weeks.
Now our schedule is completely different. My day is now filled with an extended devotion time, time for exercise, time for cleaning projects that have been put off, planning for my students through texts with my colleagues, and daily meal cooking for my family. I have not looked at my calendar in several weeks. Life has completely changed in just 3 weeks. I could easily become overwhelmed by watching the news or focusing on all that I am missing out by not being able to teach, my son not being able to play baseball or my daughter not having ballet. I could easily fear the future if I allowed myself to set my gaze on an unpredictable and ominous virus. Instead of fear, I choose courage.
“Courage doesn’t panic, it prays. Courage doesn’t bemoan, it believes. Courage listens to the voice of God through Scripture.” Max Lucado
I am choosing to use this time to focus on Christ. I am choosing to use this time to be an instrument for Jesus. I am choosing to use this time to allow God to push me to stretch in the ways I connect with others. This week I have written notes, created a private Facebook page for the parents of my students, videoed myself reading a book to be shared on Facebook, went live on Facebook with my Sunday school class, and learned how to use Zoom to participate in a video conference.
Multiple times over the last couple weeks I have read and heard the Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
How have you allowed God to push you out of your comfort zone this week? Are you showing courage in your response? How are you being an instrument of peace during this time of trouble in our society? I challenge you to think outside the box and find a creative way to outreach this week. I truly believe if we are open and allow God, we can touch the lives of others in unimaginable ways! We just have to have the courage to trust and take the first step! Listen to this song as you prayerfully meditate on ways God can use you today.
Water Walkers 