Today I am thrilled to hear from my friend Holly Barrett as she describes “brave in the staying”. Her perspective is brave and is one that can teach all of us that where we are right now may be exactly where God has called us to be.
There have been several times in my life when others called me brave. Leaving an abusive marriage is certainly not for the faint of heart. Single-parenting isn’t either. We often think of brave as something that we do…or pursue…or achieve. But I recently learned that being brave may just be none of those things.
Sometimes brave is staying right where you are, even though it’s not where you want to be. But for whatever His purposes are, God has called you to be still. That’s exactly where He has me right now. In a place not of my choosing. In a place exactly opposite of where I love to be. To be honest, I’ve fought it hard. And all that has accomplished is to prolong my own despair.
Now that God is calling me to be brave in the staying, I’m trying to lean into the uncomfortable. I want to listen for what He had in mind when He brought me here. And to discover contentment in the place He chose for this season.
I want to be brave.
[Tweet “Sometimes brave is staying where you are, even though it’s not where you want to be. @HollySBarrett”]
As we wrap our brains around these words from Holly, let’s ask ourselves what our brave looks like and consider the possibility that the times we doubt we are brave may be the times we are exactly where we need to be.
Holly Barrett is a Jesus-following minister, writer, mother and YaYa from NC. She serves as Assistant Director of Residential Life at The Crossnore School in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, where she works to bring hope and healing to children from families in crisis. Holly writes at Reclaiming a Redeemed Life, and enjoys teaching and speaking opportunities wherever they may arise, sharing the story of redemption available to all. Connect with Holly at her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
In grace and peace,
Mary
“lean into the uncomfortable.” Powerful and challenging words from Holly, right there. Bless you, Holly and thank you, Mary for sharing her encouraging words!
Holly has shown me first hand what it means to lean into the comfortable as well as embrace it. I am blessed by her beautiful example. I am glad you found Holly’s words to be challenging today. Blessings friend!
Thanks, June! It is a hard thing to do but one I’m convinced we are called to do and will be blessed in the process.
Holly … this is so fabulous. Letting all our striving cease. Sitting still and letting God do battle for us. I love the handful of words in Exodus 14:14 which gives us that little command.
We take the pressure off ourselves to make it all happen and lean into Him and watch Him do His thing.
And I love that you and Mary are doing brave together. Iron sharpens iron, doesn’t it …
;-}
Thank you for being here Linda! Holly and I are doing brave together and it is good. I also feel like you and I are too through our journey of transition in our lives. Praying your Sunday is blessed. Thank you for being here encouraging both of us.
Linda, yes!! How often do we see folks in the Bible fall on their faces before the Lord and He takes care of their enemies, their problems, or whatever. So the best way we can get to brave is by falling on our faces before Him.
Holly,
Good morning sister NC girl!! We always think of brave as “going”, but thank you for honestly sharing about brave being in the “staying”. That’s when, as you say, we learn to lean into God!!
Blessings,
Bev
Let’s lean into God with Holly today! It sure is a better place than trying to push our lives ahead into an area that we were never meant to be. So glad you stopped by to read Holly’s words. I know they blessed me.
Hey Bev!! You may have said before, but I don’t remember where in NC you are! I’m still learning the leaning in part. It’s hard to do in a place you wish were different. But I believe it’s what we have to do! Thanks for reading, friend.
These are very lovely “brave words” Holly.
“Sometimes Brave is staying right where you are even if it is not where you want to be!”
I totally pinned it. It is a beautiful reflection.
Thank you for this encouragement Mary and Holly.
Blessings
Thank you for sticking with me in this series, Ifeoma. Holly is very brave in knowing who she is and her purpose right now. She is a beautiful example to me. Blessings!
Thank you for reading, Ifeoma. It is scary to say those words because we don’t always want to stay, do we? But if it’s what God has for us at this season, finding the brave to stay will be totally worth it.
Great words from Holly. Sometimes brave is in the staying…yes indeed.
I love how Holly changed my thinking about brave by making me think through what it means to accept your circumstances even if it is not what you are wishing for. She models of me very well what it means to be brave in the staying. Happy Sunday!
Thanks, Tara! I always appreciate your kind encouragement, friend.