Stronger and Braver

My three year old granddaughter is afraid of the dark. Her summer visit with us consisted of lots of snuggles, playtime, and every time we would enter a dark room and she would get worried, a few encouraging words about how it’s okay to sometimes be afraid but God and Jesus make us strong and brave.

Spending time with her helped erase the anxiousness of the past several months and then Monday evening happened. We had sang Jesus Loves Me and Trading our Sorrows at the top of our lungs all the way down Interstate 24. Once we exited onto Old Hickory Boulevard, we counted each church building we saw and applauded each one until we got to my brother and sister-in-law’s house for dinner. We were excited for a quick visit and dinner before we had to catch our flight. I had the night planned. We’d eat, head to Express Parking, hop out, jump on our shuttle, and be at our gate in record time. I love planning.

Throughout the many times I mentally prepared for this evening, I never considered the extensive road construction near the airport, that I would have engine problems a few miles before the airport, or that Express Parking would be closed. Thankfully, the potty training toddler who I knew would need bathroom time before we boarded was calm and happy in the backseat while her grandmother quietly freaked out in the front. We had seventeen minutes to board our plane when I called my husband in tears and we still hadn’t found a place to park. Seventeen. Minutes.

As I drove around the airport for the third time trying to get in the correct lane for parking, my husband calmly repeated the words I had been telling our granddaughter all week. The same words. The same truth. Strong and brave? Oh, yeah. Those words washed over my frenzied soul and brought a bit of peace. Why do we freak out when we know God is faithful? Because a stressed brain can’t learn and this year has been all about stressed brains. Can I get an, “Amen?”

I like plans. I like to know how things are going to go. I thrive in structure and consistency. 2020 has been like eight months of Mondays evenings. No structure. Failed plans. Completely inconsistent. Tons of stress and uncertainties. Just between us, it hasn’t been my favorite year.

Late that evening when I had delivered the sweet baby to her sweet parents, I walked back through that airport to wait for my flight home and was exhausted but I had a peace that comes with a job well done.

Someday after this year is a memory and our work here is done, we will find that place where we can finally have peace. Not the barely able to grasp peace this life offers but real peace. Real comfort. Real rest.

Our heavenly destination has the power to get us through the journey and all the pain and stress that comes with it. Knowing that Jesus has prepared a place for us and certain that he will return for us is a means of survival. We can look at everything this year has had to offer: quarantine, sickness, masks, homeschooling, injustices, an election year, to name a few. How can we make the right choice when there seems to be no right choices? How can we make it emotionally, socially, spiritually in a world that thrives on fear and chaos? Lord, we’re tired of all the unknowns. Help us focus on what we do know. Everytime someone in the Bible trusted Jesus they became a little more stronger and braver. Fishermen, government employees, the sick, broken, and abused found strength and courage in the words and deeds of a Rabbi from Galilee to continue their journey. He is faithful and we are not alone.

This year has been taxing and may still have some surprises up it’s sleeve but I’m thankful to have people in my life who continually remind me that God will see us through. If you don’t have a crew who keeps pointing you to Jesus, find them, encourage them, and love them.

Regardless of the headaches and scars this year or life may leave, if you’re walking with Jesus, he will make you a little more stronger and braver.