In Knowing Love We Can Be Courageous
My chest tightens and I hold my breath as my four-year-old son hangs upside down on the playset.
My heart pounds and my grip tightens to steady the seat as he pedals hard learning to ride his bike.
These are lessons I know he must learn for himself. From the same deep well where my fears live, I feel gratitude and joy rising in me as week after week, his father recounts how he quickly and easily he makes new friends. He dives in, plunging straight through any fear of pain and failure.
In a quiet moment of reflection, the Lord whispers softly deep within my heart, “Pay attention. Write this down. Don’t forget. You’re gonna need this when he’s eighteen.”
Courage is in him.
What is courage but pressing on through the differences, difficulties, and dangers? Courage–not careless and reckless, but focused and intent on the end result–is a victory.
As I ponder this, I realize that fear will harm and not heal. Fear must be squelched. My fear. Fear that he will experience pain and failure. And that I will too.
Here in this space, the Lord whispers lyrics from a Sara Groves song. They echo quietly. Your courage asks me what I’m afraid of, and what I know of love.
The lyrics replay in my mind like a leaky faucet, questions dripping slowly, one after another. Will he get hurt? Can I prevent it? Will he always trust what he knows in his heart? Will I be there for him when he needs me most? His courage is pushing me to face my own fears. I search my heart for any fear that might be valid. His courage is making me test what I know of love. Every fear falls short. Every failure dries up. His–and mine too.
I look into his big, bright eyes and see the courage deep within, and I know full well it was not taught. I cannot take credit. God himself made him uniquely in this careful, wonderful design. I may encourage it, help sharpen it, and help refine the use of it, but God breathed the courageous heart into him.
My own courage begins to mount as I remember my calling to point him to love, to Christ.
It is in knowing love that we can be courageous. Knowing that God is love. Knowing that this love is faithful, even when I am not. Knowing that this love never fails. Relief floods my heart, the gratitude and joy overwhelming the lingering fear. The love I know gives life to my courage, not careless and reckless, but focused and intent on the victory that has already been won in the person of Christ. His love.
And what I know of love.
There is courage in him.
Today I breathe deep and loosen my grip. Today I offer thanks and soak in the joy his courage brings. Today, and tomorrow, and eighteen years from now, I’ll cling to Christ and the courage in him.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16 NIV).
“[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:7-8 NIV).
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8 NIV).
With southern roots in both Texas and Tennessee, Abbie Gristy loves sharing life with family and friends and is happiest surrounded by her husband and three strong and sweet kids. Passionate about making the most of every moment of life, she’s an avid reader, adequate cook, want-to-be runner who loves organizing and re-organizing!
Photograph © Bethany Beams, used with permission
