Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice"
to the Slice of Life (SOL) community.
Thanks to Stacey, Tara, Betsy, Dana, Beth, and Anna
for hosting this meeting place each day in March
writing about the spiritual focus of our community's
One Little Words. This week, we are writing about
Teresa Winterstein's OLW, BRAVE.
I have always loved the story of Esther in the Old Testament. Each day that we rely on faith, instead of fear is a day that we show our bravery as followers of Christ. I usually don't allow myself to read anyone's Spiritual Journey post until I've written my own, but this week I read Holly's post before writing. She reminded me of this favorite scripture in 2 Timothy 1:7. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Each time that we push aside our fear to act on inspiration from God, we are being brave. I love the stories of modern-day faith exemplified along with Esther's story in this short three minute video.
"Being brave doesn't mean that I'm not afraid. Brave is just acting in faith."
I'm also reminded of one of my favorite read aloud books that I frequently shared with my sixth graders. It features a boy-girl friendship, it's historical fiction, it's about bullying and racism, it's humorous while dealing with serious themes, and Gabriel (the boy character) is afraid of many things. The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going is a perfect read aloud for fifth and sixth graders. The spider in the swamp scene is my all-time favorite passage to read aloud. By the end of the book, Gabriel comes to the realization that courage is not the absence of fear, but that being brave means doing hard things even when one is afraid, and that love is what allows us to move forward in spite of our fears.
How is Teresa's OLW (one little word) "brave" manifested in your daily life? Can you be afraid and brave at the same time?
It has been years since I read The Liberation of Gabriel King. I may have to pull that one of the shelf and add it to the TBR pile. I like your question of how does brave manifest in your daily life. The daily is the word that pops for me. It is the little moments of brave - going to the dentists when you really are afraid of them, stepping out of your comfort zone. Thanks - good food for thought today.
ReplyDelete"Can you be afraid and brave at the same time?" I think you can! Many times God has given me courage to do something even though I was afraid! Thank you for reminding me about Esther's story. On the video clip, these words really resonate with me tonight: "You;ll never realize how strong you are until strong is all that you have left."
ReplyDeleteA good question that I may have my students consider, Ramona. We are headed for a long trip in early May, 10 days to DC & to Chesapeake Bay. some of the younger ones have shared that they are a little anxious. I wonder if a conversation around your question will help?
ReplyDeleteI love your definition of brave- some big truth there, I think. I have never heard of THE LIBERATION OF GABRIEL KING, but it sounds terrific. Going to put it on reserve, hopefully for some spring break reading!
ReplyDeleteI took a Beth Moore Bible study on Esther, and I loved it! Small groups read The Liberation of Gabriel King in our 5th grade FEAR unit, and they love it! Both stories are such great examples of bravery!
ReplyDeleteRamona, I will be picking up that title to read now too! Thank you for that as well as some thoughts and a question for reflection. I have to agree with Desirae's statement that, "God always has a plan. It's not always easier, but it's always better." I think that is the intersection of bravery and faith. So on a human emotion plane fear is normal. Bravery whispers the divine and grows greater from faith that our lives are in God's hands.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, thanks for your thoughtful words:
Delete"Bravery whispers the divine and grows greater from faith that our lives are in God's hands."
Another keeper quote for my book of wisdom from blogger friends.
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