Thank You for Courage

I am thanking God this season for empowering people with courage so that hurting people can feel God’s love. Ryan started our year by stating that the biblical response to adversity is gratitude.  

This story, I believe, respresents this so well. Recently, an 11-year old little girl died by suicide in a neighboring community. A business owner, reached out to her mother, despite his self-described fear and deep discomfort, and asked her if he could honor her daughter’s memory and family with a Children’s Mental Health Awareness event. The mother and family agreed, and from there many people came together to show love and support to this mother, brother and family. Along the way, many people gained awareness of mental health and tools to assist such as 988, a 24-hour suicide and crisis lifeline that can be accessed via call, text or chat.

This business owner could have remained silent, but he chose to step out of his comfort zone to show love, compassion and support. As he stepped out of his comfort zone, he demonstrated to the community how to do it as well. Just as a stone thrown into water creates ripples, so will this event.  

How often could we show love and compassion if we were not held back by preconceived ideas, fear or general busyness?  

May God create quiet moments for me to “see” opportunities in front of me, and give me the courage to act on it.

Reflect & Respond

• What is your experience with courage? Who or what feels courageous to you?
• Has anyone ever taken a risk for you? What happened?
• What holds you back from taking risks with people? What would it take to overcome that?