Finding Courage in the Quiet

There are times in life, we find ourselves having to be strong, even when we feel utterly helpless.

Some years ago, my dearest friend called me upset, needing someone to lean on. I was there for her, but honestly I felt inadequate. As if I should be doing more, but in her quiet way she had reminded me that courage was often found in the quiet moments, the moments when the words did not matter, just the reminder that you were there.

There are going to be times when we need each other, when we don’t need to whisper but shout those words of encouragement, but I have been reminded again and again that the quiet moments are often the ones we remember, the moments when nothing profound is said, but a laughter is shared, a kind gesture. It doesn’t have to be big, it often isn’t.

I’ve been brought to my knees by life, and I have watched friend brought to their knees, but the strongest of them get up, and somehow find a new normal. Life can change in an instant, an accident can turn a life upside down, shake it like a snow globe and then somehow you are expected to get up and go on, and you do, at least the ones who have a strength that can only come from the Lord do.

But those are the bigger moments, the louder ones, what about the moments you are there in the silence, as a new reality is being absorbed, something happens you did not expect to…