“We should do whatever we can to bring courage to those whose lives move near our own.”
—Fred Rogers
Finding courage on my own to live in the Shadows of the past is hard. But it is somehow made easier when I imagine there are other frightened people around me also living with their corpses, in their haunted homes, battling things of long ago that hold real or imaginary power over them. I know what this is like, and I want you to know I’m here, too. I have a little shiny sword called, Courage, that glitters, like Bilbo’s did when orcs came near, when the past comes into my kitchen to mock and taunt and gibe. It comes from another Place, and it carries with it in its swift blows, a song, a whistling hopeful sound from that Place. Look here! it says, you shall not last forever! Your present powers are on a timer, and every day you draw nearer to your final grave while I draw nearer to my Inheritance, imperishable and unfading.
Courage. I hope for you that you find courage today to sow imperishable things, things that look tiny and strange, like, “honor your father and mother”….and “love your enemies”….and “pray for those who hate you”. They look weak, but they have promises attached to them. I hope your courage brightens even through your tears.
“Although we are weeping, Lord, help us keep sowing the seeds of your kingdom.” —Bonhoeffer