Brave

Shortly after our first trip to China, we were in the middle of wedding planning. (We returned from China on July 6 and got married on Aug. 6. It was hectic to say the least.) It was also a very emotional time as we tried to process all we had seen and make it fit into the same world where we were picking out flowers, cake, and a dress (which suddenly seemed incredibly trivial!) Anyway, during that time, the song "Brave" by Nichole Nordeman was being played all the time on Christian radio, and it really blessed me. I can remember one morning in particular... still had jet lag so I was awake at 4 in the morning. I also couldn't sleep because of the children's faces in my mind... I turned on the radio, and this song was playing. It was a powerful and defining moment...

Just a few minutes ago, I heard it on the radio, and I was immediately reminded of that time... God used this song to really make me believe I could be brave and serve Him in a way that utterly scared me at the time! I don't know all that God used to reassure Jacob, but this was a powerful thing for me... anyway, just thought I'd share a few lines that were(are) particularly important to me. You can read all the lyrics here.

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been'
Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave