Where Do I Need This Courage Most?

It's been a long time since I've tried to live life without God, so my memory is fuzzy there. So I can only speak for the recent years where I've employed my recipe for courage...with God.

The question is: where do I need this courage most? I believe if you join forces with God and choose to go where He wants to take you, you will need every ounce of courage you can muster. He seems to think BIG, inspire us, and then employ timing that is nearly guaranteed to make you ask, "What ARE you thinking, God?"

An example: I became an assistant principal of a K-8 school when I was 8 months pregnant with my third child. Really, God? But, at the pace of a turtle, just never giving up, I learned and continue to learn that this life of God-adventure is passionate, doable, and truly intoxicating with His love for life and us. Want adventure? The secret, I believe, is in His calling.

My Recipe for Courage

Serving size: one day's worth

Rise time--15-60 minutes before I need to be up

Strong coffee

Time spent pondering with God

Exercise

Intentional eating

Postpone giving up

I awaken earlier than necessary, keep a full cup of strong, hot coffee (full of antioxidants) beside me, and read about God, pray to God, and ponder how it all fits together for my day, trying to listen to anything He might be saying to me. For me, intentionally good eating and exercise free me to feel better about myself so that anything that is going to try to defeat me will stand less of a chance. And finally, if I am feeling completely fearful (opposite of courageous), I postpone giving up until at least the next day. Then God has another chance to keep me in the game!