Simply Sunday: Take Courage

Each of us will have things to face this week... whether they are mild inconveniences, news of a startling even crippling nature, or perhaps the arrival at some crossroads where a choice must be made that change our life in some way. Maybe we need to begin a new job or start a new project that takes us out of our comfort zone.

You might ask what that could be for me this new week. It's not a new thing, it's there every single morning when I wake up. It's deciding what my attitude will be as I wake up and get ready for the new day.

Yes, even at 3 a.m. when it's dark out and we're not quite awake as we head off to work. To invite the Lord Jesus to walk with me into the new day. To  anticipate the small gifts of mercy that He's mindfully gathered for my encouragement, benefit, and delight. To let a sense of wonder rise up and watch for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places... amazing how many I find even at that time of day, if I let it.

For just as surely, there comes the opportunity to allow resentment, self-pity, and grumpiness to travel with me...believe me, they show up with amazing promptness every morning loudly urging me to take them to work).

In light of that, I've gathered some quotes that speak to me and bring light to my mind. I take refuge, courage and joy in these words from people who've faced their own giants...and I pray that you, too, will find something that you can carry forth as your beacon for this new week.

"The ideas that have lighted my way and, time after time, have given me new courage to face life cheerfully have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth." ~ Albert Einstein, Scientist

"Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it." ~ Joseph Conrad, British novelist

"The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but rather those days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments." ~ Gustave Flaubert, French novelist

"It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~ Anaïs Nin, French author

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" ~ Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter

"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." ~ Sir Winston Churchill, British politician

"A (wo)man of courage is also full of faith. ~ Marcus Tulius Cicero, Roman orator

"Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ from Joshua 1:9

I ask you now, what would be your 'take courage' thought be for today?

Wishing you a*´¨)
> ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
> (¸.·´ (¸.·´ * beautiful day! *

Hugs,
Brenda
xox