‘I don’t think I can be brave for this’

By Erid Haselhorst
Director, Stewardship Office

In December, 2009, my daughter Allison came to me with a big bump on the inside of her leg. Thinking it was just a weird bruise, I told her we would check it in a couple days to see if it was going away.
A few days passed and nothing changed. Needless to say we ended up at a surgeon’s office expecting something terrible.
This “thing” on her leg turned out to be nothing terrible but did require “Doc” to drain blood trapped under her skin. Miss Allison had been very brave with shots and blood work, but when Doc brought out the instruments needed for the procedure, Allison said, “Mom I don’t think I can be brave for this.” Luckily, my wife Chris was there to help her be brave. Allison’s statement made me think how often I have said something similar. We each have things that happen in life that we expect, and things that just happen. They can be either good or unfortunate, but we all can find ourselves saying, “I don’t think I can be brave for this.”
Let me share another story about how bravery can be handled God’s way. A friend and mentor of mine came home on an ordinary night after work. The day was like any other: go to work, do the business at hand, go home, and repeat the next day.
After arriving at home, the house seemed a bit different. He found his beloved wife of 37 years in her favorite chair -- but something was not right. A blood clot had taken her life. In the days following both he and his family found themselves saying, “Mom, I don’t think I can be brave for this.”
The lesson taught by this man to his family is: We are not brave enough. True strength, true bravery, is having a complete trust in God our Father no matter the circumstance.     
I have seen this man adjust to life as a widower with awe. He told me he never asked God, “Why her? Why now?” He said he is not angry. Simply, this is what is and he trusts the Lord to see him and his family though. He has highs and lows like anyone that has a cross to carry. But, this man has profoundly allowed the Holy Spirit to help him be brave. This man knows that he cannot go through life without the wisdom and grace of our compassionate and loving God.
I have always known this man trusted the Lord and had a special relationship with Jesus. This tragedy showed more intensely what I have known and reinforces the lessons he taught me over the years: Give thanks and praise to the Lord when life happens, allow the Lord to help when life happens. Let go, let God.
I have witnessed a certain peace for him and his family. Sure they wish things could have been different. But they live with what is, letting God help them be brave.
Thanks, Dad.