Courage

Be strong and courageous all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31: 25

Have you ever noticed how some words just sound better when spoken in a different language?  I heard a teeny Italian grandma not so long ago speak about her faith and she spoke the words “Coraggio! Coraggio!” Again and again she spoke them with great gusto and hands raised to the heavens.  In these past few weeks, I’ve heard her voice and her emphatic invitation to have COURAGE.

I’ve been a teacher for what seems like a hundred years but I find myself stuck in this mess I have no experience with and that I can’t quite understand or process.  With courage, we’re fumbling our way through new technology, new best practice, new worries, new adventures and God willing, new ways to call on his name for the “Coraggio” to figure this all out.  The worst part so far has been emptying out the girls desks and lockers and bagging it all up.  I wasn’t prepared for the grief and awfulness that task was steeped in.  I sat on my classroom floor weeping and I heard that voice, “Coraggio”.  So, I asked the Lord for it and as I dried my tears, I got up and typed a letter to all of my students and as I put it in their bag and tied it shut, I prayed for each child by name.  Once I had their bags all labeled and put in the designated area of the gym, I sat the Blessed Mother statue among the pile and prayed a Rosary for my 22 girls and their families asking her to intercede for all of them; asking her Son to bless them all with “Coraggio”.

Each of you reading this post is struggling with some part of this craziness and it affects each of us in very different ways.  My cross to carry through all of this may seem but a sliver compared to someone else’s, but here’s the thing…it doesn’t matter the weight or the size of the cross, that’s not for us to judge. Our job is to carry it the best we can and more importantly to help others carry theirs all the while remembering Jesus has the heavy end.  That my friends, requires “Coraggio”!  It would appear that we could use a little more. It would appear that some have moved past fear and turned to fighting and blaming.  One thing is for certain, that will only create a wound that takes longer to heal.  We have no power over other’s choices or actions but we surly can pray and we surly can be the voice of light and courage to those fumbling in the darkness.  Someday, we will look back on this and my question is…what do you hope you see?  With great “Coraggio” use this experience we’re in the middle of to create something you’ll be proud to look back on.  I want to get to the other side of this and say…yeah, I remember that, I used that time to…(fill in the blank). 

For all who read this, know of my prayers for you and an out pouring of “Coraggio” for all of us stuck in a situation that can, if we use it well, bear great fruit.

A Seed To Plant:  Make a list of three things you’d like to look back on a year from now and feel proud about.  Where do you need Coraggio?​

Blessings on your day!