This week’s twin themes of courage and waiting seem like opposites, but they have the same source: trust in God.
In the past two years, I have walked alongside my husband Ken on his journey from good health through a rare heart disease to a heart transplant, with several complications. Last month, he ruptured a disc in his spine while playing racquetball. Now he is dealing with severe pain and a slow process of rebuilding his muscular strength.
Ken has always been physically courageous, but he is not someone who likes to wait. He enjoys motorcycles, model rockets and sports like racquetball that rely on fast-twitch muscle response. But Ken’s health issues have pushed him to new levels of courage and have taught both of us how to wait on God.
The two practices that help us most are Gratitude and Hope. Most days, Ken looks for beauty of some kind to photograph. Each night we name the things we are grateful for. Each morning, we welcome the new day with hope.
When we focus on Gratitude, it builds our trust in God. Trust gives us Hope. It gives us the courage to face difficult or unknown circumstances. It gives us the patience to wait for God’s timing.
God, we are grateful for your love, and the ways you have helped us in the past. Give us courage to face an unknown future. Give us patience to wait for you. Help us to trust you with our whole hearts. AMEN