cour-age
Noun:
The ability to do something that frightens one.
Strength in the face of pain or grief.
That is the official definition.
I just made up this one for my kids.
COURAGE:
Doing something even when it’s scary
because God is with me!
I am up at the lake with family for a couple weeks enjoying some serious quality time and relaxation.
This past weekend,
my parents graciously vacated while three awesome families came up
for the the 3rd Annual Family Olympics.
These kids have known each other since they were babies
I was in small groups for years with Katie & Joy and
went through pregnancies and all kinds of “life” together.
Kelli and I go back to Auburn and I just knew she would gel like magic with the other two.
So, it just kind of happened years ago and became a tradition.
I wish I could keep adding families (feels so rude to others I love),
but they keep creating little cute humans and I’m out of beds.
We have so much in common.
Dads share same sense of humor.
Moms can laugh and cry together – or go to bed 8 pm.
Kids ADORE playing together.
All parents are like-minded and that makes discipline as a group easy.
I saw something else in common this weekend.
It was in the face of each child.
COURAGE.
I saw Maddox learn to jump (through trembling fear) off the back of the boat.
I saw Amelia, Mallory and Emma Kate learn to knee-board
even with being stuck upside down on the board
(or watching their friend terrified before their turn).
COURAGE!
And they went again.
I saw Emma Kate and Harper walk through pain in full tears and sobs
as they left their best friends to head home.
They are old enough to know it’s not “see you tomorrow”
it’s “see you in months.”
I saw Ella hold back tears and stay strong as her daddy clenched the win
with 68 bench presses. Her leg was a HURTIN! 🙂
I saw Cora learn to let go of the dock and me and trust the life jacket.
That gorgeous girl can float freely!
I am a grown adult and my lip still quivers.
COURAGE doesn’t mean pain isn’t coming and fun and glorious times are guranteed.
Sometimes, we have to bite that lip and just take the step.
I want my kids to know 2 things about courage.
1. God is always with them.
Be strong and courageous! Deut 31:6
2. You can trust mom & dad
We might ask them to do something that is a little uncomfortable or scary,
but we love them and we can be trusted.
Sometimes, it is easy. For example, walk through fear and learn to ride on a float behind a boat. Cool!
Some are huge. I am scared to go to school and I am for six months. I have to be able to keep saying.
You are strong.
You are brave.
You are courageous.
You can trust mom/dad with everything
and GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU.
We love you!
Even if the car door closes and I sob for them and with them because they are my baby and I’d rather them not go through pain ever.
You know what I see from the first year to this year?
2008
2009
2010
2011
You’re Amazing Just the Way You Are