We have looked this past week at a brave that looks like standing still in a world that is always moving. When staying put is where you are, but you dream of so much more. Or when brave is changing your perspective to match God’s for this time and this place in your life. No matter where we are or what we are called to, we are brave when we choose God’s work over our agenda. His kingdom is everywhere and we can make a difference right where we are.
Today, my friend, Marcy Hanson, joins me to share one more brave look at her own life that is ordinary, but in reality oh so extraordinary. Her kingdom work is in her own city and neighborhood. Read her beautiful words below.
Brave seems to be the word of the day…month…year. It’s been almost a catch-phrase, like 2015 is all about the brave and how you can show your courage. But I’m finding that brave looks a lot more like laying down than standing up. It feels a lot more like staying still than running towards battle. Right now, brave looks like driving home and having the courage to stay.
It’s not the kind of brave I want to be. I want to jump. I want to feel the adrenaline rush of a new adventure. I want to feel like I’m living a purpose, not just with purpose. But right now that’s not the brave I’m called too.
I don’t live in a war-torn country, but I live with war-torn hearts. With souls that have been broken down and are hurting. And when they hurt, they fight back and lash out at perceived threats. Even when that perception is wrong. For now, my brave is trying to mend those hearts. It is pulling close and holding tight even when others are pushing away. For me, brave looks a whole lot like everyday, and I’m learning to be okay with that. Because no matter what type of brave you’re called to, it’s all Kingdom work, and really, that’s all that matters.
Marcy Nell Hanson writes about faith and family and her experiences with infertility & adoption (and some other stuff just for fun). She is a nursing instructor in her home state of Montana and is the adoptive mama of four kiddos: a little, two middles, and a big. She and her hubby try to master (read survive) this thing called life and are held together by Jesus and lots of very strong coffee.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NoMaybeBaby
Every detail of our lives involves brave faith and God is in every detail. His Kingdom becomes our home when we choose to stay in the brave place He has put us in for each season of our lives. When brave is our kingdom work, we embrace God and honor Him with our lives.
[Tweet “No matter what brave you’re called to,it’s all Kingdom work&that’s what matters.@MarcyNellHanson”]
As we walk bravely right now in our ordinary lives, let’s move forward knowing that God is blessing this time of our lives as much as the times we are jumping wildly into what’s next.
Thank you for walking this journey to brave faith with me. Your presence here is such a blessing. Click on the button below to catch up on any missed posts in this 31 days series. You can also subscribe to my blog to receive email updates so you never miss a post! 🙂
Mary
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Oh, sweet Marcy, you are so brave! And those precious hearts you have been entrusted with are so blessed to have you. Keep soldiering on, friend. You are doing a wonderful job. xoxo
Marcy shows me what brave looks like in her own home and workplace. Thank you for being here, Holly.
Great word today, Girls! The mission field is often right in our own homes, amen? Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you June! Marcy has a beautiful way of describing her kingdom work. Hope your weekend is blessed.
THIS: ” Because no matter what type of brave you’re called to, it’s all Kingdom work, and really, that’s all that matters.” Brave in sharing story I never thought if that but when I read your reply to my comment on your previous post, I realized how true those words are in my life. Thanks for pointing that out to me friend!
Brave looks different of each of us and what we think is hard for us might not be for someone else. We are brave because we are working with and for God and everyday is a step closer to brave faith by working to build His kingdom. Thank you for being you and for being a faithful reader. I appreciate you!
Hi Mary and Marcy! It does take a real bravery to face up to another persons pain, and be the one to try and heal. Especially when it means standing up to the raw feelings that will come your way.
Great take on bravery!
Ceil
I wonder if one kind of brave is harder than another but I am thinking that being present in your own neighborhood to take on God’s work is right up there. Brave is a matter of perspective as well as one that looks different for each of us. Today we are brave whenever we make decisions that honor God. Thank you for stopping by, Ceil!
Mary and Marcy, this laying down and remaining feels stifling at times, doesn’t it? And I too require faith that has ” the courage to stay” in a place not of my choosing. I’m also finding that in the stilling of our souls we can become rooted deeper into the Vine and abide in His peace in the midst of adversity or with weary, war-torn hearts. Thank you for sharing your ‘brave’ and enabling us to witness courage in a surrendered heart and life. Bless you both for your insights here.
You say it so well when you talk about a surrendered heart and life. I am learning that until I release everything to God, I am not ready for what’s next. Marcy did a beautiful job of saying this in her own words. I am so blessed that she shared this wisdom with us today. Thank you for being here, Joy!
Hi there Mary. I hope you’re enjoying Allume! I pray it will be a blessed time for all of you!
Thanks for your words, Marcy, I love this most of all: “Right now, brave looks like driving home and having the courage to stay.” Oh yes, we need to be brave to live our daily lives with optimism and joy, service and love.
Allume is wonderful and fills me in a way that only in real life community can do. Marcy did an amazing job sharing with all of us the importance of accepting that our kingdom work can be in our own neighborhoods. God does not always call us away. So glad you stopped by today, Betsy!
Oh yes, Marcy and Mary … war-torn hearts. Everywhere we look the pain is there if only we have tender eyes to see.
Ah … to be brave enough to sit and be present and listen to the cries …
We assume we must go far or outside our city to reach the hurting and it’s just not the truth. God needs us where we are and being brave in that place could be what He is calling us to. Marcy’s words were powerful and hit me right between the eyes. So glad you were here today.