Children have a way of teaching us to be courageous

Yet, my oldest daughter is an epitome of “courage.”  
    

As an adult, I am awe-struck by her courageous spirit. If you seek, you will be amazed that most children are courageous and natural believers in faith. There are lessons to be learned from children and their courage.  

  Courage is an element that arises from your inner “heart and spirit.” These are the God moments deep in our beings, which occur when we follow a path, and this path transforms us. 

    

It takes courage for us to change, to inspire others to change and to make this world a better place.  
    

Consequently, courage is synonymous with faith … if you lack in courage then you lack in faith. This is such a great reminder for our souls and our children’s souls.  
    

I asked my daughter, “What would you tell another child who may lack courage?” She answered, “First, I would tell them to pray.” (As Catholic parents, we know prayer is essential for spiritual growth.)
    

“ Second, I would tell them it is OK not to be perfect.” (This is a constant wonderful reminder that no one expects you to be perfect, especially God.) 
    

“Third, I would tell them to keep moving forward.” (As parents, we instill in our children that every behavior they exhibit and action they take is a conscious choice, and then they must move forward in life.) 
  

 “Last, I would tell them that you must be a believer.” (As parents, it is a struggle to teach our children not to just believe in themselves but also to believe in their faith,  since these actions will reflect who they are and what they stand for.)
    

What does the Bible teach us about courage? It teaches us that courageous strength will come from waiting on God. “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).  
    

I t is important to wait on the Lord. That does not mean to do nothing but, instead, to put faith that God will take care of you in his timing.

    

God has told us of an everlasting love: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:3). My daughter, who has a personal relationship with the Lord, knows this as truth. Even at a young age, she has experienced it through her faith.
    

Sometimes, we need humble reminders for us and our children. When you wake up in the morning and get out of bed, especially when you do not feel like it, you are courageous. When you love or open your soul to someone, even when you are struggling, you are courageous. When you simply choose to move forward every day, you are courageous.
    

Lord, hear our prayers. Please guide us to choose to practice acting courageously, doing the right things for the right reasons. Our paths may move forward, up, down, in a circle, but may we never give up. Even through our struggles, may the journey we are on together reveal the “heart and spirit” of courage. 
    

Kristy Solis grew up in Meraux, where she still resides with her family. She has practiced as a registered nurse and a family nurse practitioner. She is a full-time nursing faculty member at the University of Holy Cross. Kristy’s husband serves the country in the U.S. Army. She is a parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in St. Bernard.