Brave.

Yesterday, I ugly cried.

You know when you are walking into a moment that you know could make you emotional but you feel pretty good about your ability to hold it together. And then all of a sudden you realize that there is no way you’re going to hold it together.

That was me yesterday.

I went to say goodbye to my friend and give one last hug before she left for her flight to the other side of the world, so she can finish a journey she’s been on for the last four years.

And all I could think about on my way home is about how brave these people are that I know. My friend that has fought to bring a daughter, her daughter, home for half a decade almost. When I look at that, I think Brave. But I also look at my friends that have to put their hands to the plow every day providing for their families with their heart aching for the babies they kissed goodbye on the way out the door. Brave. My friends that are preparing to send their husbands away to defend our country and theirs. Brave. My friends that every day face their same struggles believing that there may be a day when they finally can claim victory. Brave.

And then there’s me. Me, afraid of things that aren’t even realities. Me, scared to make the wrong decision. Me, fearful of a wasted life.

I hope in all these ways, these friends are teaching me how to be brave too.

I have always loved in Scripture that we are commanded to take things. Take heart. Take comfort. Take courage. Written as if these things are always available to us if we just reach out and take it.

And so, I hope that in both the big things and the small things, my heart would take courage. Courage in uncertainty. Courage in decisions. Courage to live a full life. Brave. Brave like my friends.