Looking back over my life, three very significant events qualify as brave.
Leaving Texas to attend the University of Oklahoma (where I knew ONE person), deciding to adopt a child and pulling my kid out of public school to homeschool.
I reached each of these decisions with shaking legs.
While I had complete peace and confidence that the Lord had called me to each of them, not a single part of me felt brave.
I was homesick for months after moving north of the Red River.
I was up against a lot of obstacles as we tried to adopt from Ethiopia.
I am currently having to remind myself to choose faith over fear as I teach my son each day.
A few mornings ago, while Jackson ate powdered donuts and watched cartoons, I opened my devotion to find these words.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ (Isaiah 30:21)
I love how Jesus works.
This verse anchored me during our adoption journey – when family wasn’t supportive, when friends questioned our integrity, when Ethiopian adoptions were teetering, when we said yes to a young, homeless girl – this verse kept me moving forward in the direction I knew God had called in.
That morning, cuddled on the couch with a cold Dr Pepper, He reminded me those same words could be my anchor now – as I follow His call to homeschool.
When I was 20, I knew God was calling me to leave everything that felt safe and move to Oklahoma.
I took the leap of faith.
When I couldn’t have a baby, I knew God was calling us to adopt.
I took the leap of faith.
A few months ago, I knew God was calling me to homeschool.
I took the leap of faith.
In her book, 100 Days to Brave, Annie F Downs writes: I may not have felt brave, but I was taking brave steps in obedience to God.
I didn’t feel brave completing that admissions application or loading that U-Haul.
I didn’t feel brave facing my parents when we told them we were adopting!
I didn’t feel brave walking out of that elementary school for the last time!
But I did it – made the brave choice to follow where God was leading. I’ve made it to the other side of the first two brave decisions, now I stand here clinging to God’s faithfulness and the promise found in Isaiah.
Being brave simply means taking the next step!
Annie writes: After a few months of wrestling, I did it….I never felt brave, I never had a moment of extreme courage or belief that this was going to be the best decision…I just did the next thing.
I will teach the next lesson.
I will read the next book.
I will plan the next field trip.
And as I take each brave step, I will cling to His promise: Do not fear; I will help you! (Isaiah 41:13)