In a box of dusty papers lay a treasure buried years ago: a poem from Mother on the importance of both strength and courage. Her hand-written note across the top of the page made this an even greater treasure, “For Barbara, who exemplifies this better than anyone I know. Lovingly, Mom.”
From Mother’s hand and my dusty box, from my heart to your eyes, words on strength and courage:
Strength and Courage
It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
(Author Unknown)
*Personal Update: Some people tour national parks during the summer. I toured emergency rooms and urgent care clinics, instead. I recovered quickly from a round of pneumonia, thanks to care I received in an Omaha hospital. Outpatient cataract surgery gave me better vision than I’ve had since high school. My recently broken foot has mended. An adrenal deficiency is still problematic and its cause undiagnosed. Heart and lungs are behaving well. Next summer I want to visit parks.
We hope this finds you on the mend and planning new adventures! Are you and Mark still preaching?
Hope you are feeling better. It has been a very long time since I have had a conversation with you. Strengthen and courage go together in daily life. Keep the faith. Karen Kiser
I didn’t know you had such a rough summer, Barbara. I hope you’re on your way to better health for some time!
This sharing is so inspirational and indeed you manifest the truth of it in your life encouraging others as you find encouragement like in 2 Cor.1:3-11. We thank God for you and pray for God’s healing
you are in my heart daily. May the parks–national or otherwise—become a reality ere long! Miss you!
YES! Good to see….
Donald S. Bosch, Ph.D. Director of Clinical Services Headington Institute +626-229-9336 dbosch@headington-institute.org Skype: donbosch
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Who would have anticipated finding words of strength and courage among the dusty treasures? You know all too well the patience in being a patient and long search in answering questions. Now may you know an abundance of God’s abiding love as the national parks holding fast for your visit.
I am learning both strength and courage from you
Loved the personal update. The national parks will be there forever (hopefully). First things first, as you discovered.