Have courage and be kind

When I hear details of unthinkable acts, my immediate reaction is to turn off the television or hide from social media. As I get older, I’m forced to burrow deeper into my hole because unthinkable acts seem to be happening on a more frequent basis than before. Since I refuse to listen to the bad stuff, I do what anyone in my position would do — I turn to fairytales.

If you haven’t seen Disney’s live-action version of Cinderella, I suggest you rent or purchase it immediately. I can honestly say that it is one of my favorite movies from 2015. It has everything you ever wanted in a fairytale, including a handsome prince. But more importantly, it has a strong, clear message for young girls (and this 40-year-old woman) which is woven throughout the entire storyline:

Have courage and be kind.

We learn about kindness as children. We are taught to be courteous to others, friendly toward new comers and generous with our neighbors and siblings. The act of sharing and serving is something that is somewhat easily understood. It’s the courageous part that requires a little more effort.

The dictionary defines courage as: “The ability to do something that frightens one, or makes one uncomfortable.”

In the book of Joshua, our favorite military man is instructed four times to have courage. Joshua is reminded that the Lord will be with him wherever he goes. This message was meant to encourage Joshua through war.

I think it’s meant for us too.

I may not be carrying a sword or wearing a helmet, but the battle is just as real. And we need to have courage. I need to have the courage to click the CNN.com link. I need to have the courage to recognize and accept that we live in a fallen world. I need to have the courage to let my heart yearn for so many broken people. I need to have the courage to face each day with the hope that I can make a difference in my little corner of a very big world. All I have to do is show up. The Lord will do the rest.

I choose to combat the hatred by praying, serving, and loving others well. When the grateful man, woman or child calls me her fairy godmother for the day, I can smile, knowing that this is bigger than pumpkin coaches and magical dresses. By simply having courage and being kind, joy will fill that moment, and hopefully, that person’s entire heart.

And it won’t expire at midnight.

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Sarah
Sarah
November 16, 2015 1:17 pm

Beautiful piece of writing– you nailed. Peace, my friend.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:31 pm
Reply to  Sarah

Thank you Sarah

Suzanne
Suzanne
November 16, 2015 1:20 pm

Lincee, you are awesome! And courageous. And kind.
Thank you for sharing.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:32 pm
Reply to  Suzanne

Thank you Suzanne. I appreciate it!

Bethe
November 16, 2015 1:40 pm

Yes! Yes! And amen! When in doubt, this is a time to love people BIGGER and BETTER than ever before. Neighbors down the street, people from the other side of the world – may love drive out fear and hate.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:32 pm
Reply to  Bethe

Amen! Preach it Bethe!

amy a
amy a
November 16, 2015 1:49 pm

Ah, this is good. I was just having a conversation about the fear side of this. Fear is easier than courage, but not worth it.

Karen
Karen
November 16, 2015 5:48 pm
Reply to  amy a

Well said, Amy, well said!

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:33 pm
Reply to  amy a

Beautifully written Amy A

Kelli
Kelli
November 16, 2015 3:23 pm

Sometimes you have to have courage because there are others who simply cannot.

Great post today, Lincee

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:33 pm
Reply to  Kelli

Well said Kelli!

Brandy
Brandy
November 16, 2015 3:27 pm

Thank you for this reminder Lincee! I sure needed it today! 🙂

Karen
Karen
November 16, 2015 5:49 pm

Beautiful post. It focuses on what we CAN do instead of what we can’t. Amen to that!

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:33 pm
Reply to  Karen

Exactly. Change of perspective.

Christine
Christine
November 16, 2015 9:55 pm

God bless you, dear.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:34 pm
Reply to  Christine

Thank you Christine!

Katie
Katie
November 17, 2015 8:53 am

I am inspired, Lincee! It takes courage to acknowledge what’s happening in the world and keep trying, but like you said, all we have to do is show up and the Lord will do the rest. That is courage, indeed!

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:34 pm
Reply to  Katie

One day at a time Katie!

CO Kathleen
CO Kathleen
November 17, 2015 3:48 pm

Beautifully said, Lincee. As always. Very grateful to hear your perspective and let in seep into my heart when I’ve been more angry and fed up with what happened in Paris.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:34 pm
Reply to  CO Kathleen

Thank you CO Kathleen.

evangeline
evangeline
November 17, 2015 3:51 pm

so beautifully said!! thank you, I think we all needed that today!!!

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:35 pm
Reply to  evangeline

Why thank you evangeline!

kim
kim
November 17, 2015 6:07 pm

Lincee, thank you for sharing some encouragement in this broken world. May we always put our trust in God even when things happen we can’t comprehend. He is always in control.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:35 pm
Reply to  kim

You are more than welcome kim

Susie
Susie
November 17, 2015 9:29 pm

A very nice post Lincee. My only suggestion is to get your info from Fox News instead of CNN. You only get a very liberal viewpoint if you’re listening to CNN.
Pray for Paris and Pray for the USA.

Lincee
November 19, 2015 6:35 pm
Reply to  Susie

Pray, pray, pray!

Barbara
Barbara
November 24, 2015 1:18 pm

Lincee, thank you for your heartfelt comments. You reminded me that we can do something – pray. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1.

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