Courage

Such a funny word to me. If you ask any random person what courage means to them you will get many different answer. Some may refer to a fireman or a police officer or even a solider when they think of the word courage. MAYBE some will say their mom(smile). I know my first thought is the infamous picture of a fireman carrying a survivor out of a blazing fire. Very dramatic! Or the picture of that sweet innocent white kitten walking across a line of doberman pinscher.

what does Courage look like to you?

Recently, an old friend came into town. We have not seen each other in over 10 years. We have kept in touch through the years but have not had the opportunity to see each other face to face. She even brought her husband! Funny part is my hubby and her hubby know each other so it was a good visit for all. She has been through some really really tough stuff. I could not even begin to describe what her life has been like these last 12 years. She has had to endure her husband being in another state for 4 years and here I thought a year was long. Ummm, NO! She has had to work almost 6 days out of a 7 day week. She has had to live with people whom she is not related to but knows through marriage. So, she has no idea what it means to have her own place for just the 3 of them. She has had to hear the opinions and judgements from "friends" and strangers about how they feel looking into her life. Some even offered for her to divorce her husband because they do not approve of him having to continue his education in another state. She has lived far away from her immediate family all these years and getting to see them is a challenge financially and in distance. Her mother passed away within her first few years of marriage. She has had to live in area where churches are very very few so her choices have been very limited. She has had to put all her hobby's on a shelf so she could work for her family. She has had to leave her daughter behind for a period of time so she can go help her husband. I could go on since there is a whole lot more to this story but out of respect for my friend I can't. It would be easy to sit back, read this post and even form your own judgements or opinions. We all do!

My friend still has a smile on her face. Sometimes it is a little worn and may carry a few more wrinkles but it is there. It has not been an easy road for my friend and her story continues on this road. I am praying for this chapter in her life to close so they can be a family again. It was probably one of the shortest yet deepest visits I have ever had with a friend. It is just where we are on our journey of life. We as friends have crossed again and we relate on a level that many can not understand. Our paths are different, even the circumstances but we have a new found love and respect for the other because of where we have had to walk.

After being able to see my friend and really see her life story up close and no longer through email and phone, I was encouraged by her courage.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6