Back in 2007, when first introduced to the internet world of bloggers, I found the site of a strong, faithful woman and mother of two – Mary Lenaburg. Though the sharing of her heart and home in writing, I met her beautiful daughter Courtney and followed and prayed along with her journey to Heaven. From her life and the daily step of faith into darkness, Mary Lenaburg’s theme of “Being Brave in the Scared” developed, challenging me and others to live joy in the midst of fear.

Ten years later and I’m still an avid reader and unabashed lurker. Mary Lenaburg challenged us recently to consider what being brave in the scared looks like to each of us. So I got to thinking…

Being brave in the scared, to me, means transforming the Scared to to the Sacred. By restructuring the first three letters of a fearful word, I am convinced we can find the doors to eternity.

For me, the Sacred was found in the Blessed Sacrament. There, Our Lord waits for us, inviting us to present our wounded hearts to Him. It was in the darkest, scariest period in my life that this secret was revealed to me. Like a magnet, I was drawn to the chapel. In most cases, there were no words – just a staring where “heart speaks to heart.” It was in Adoration that I found strength with which to rebuild my life in time of desolation. He was the answer to Everything. Since then, I long for those moments – whether they be 10 minutes or an hour – when I can go to him and learn how to be Brave. Every day I walk into that chapel and every day, I leave with greater peace than when I first came. In that time before Him truly present, I have the chance to rest my head on His heart – recharging, redeeming, and reviving my own.

There, we find warmth… comfort… we listen to the beating, the breathing, and we know thatwe are beloved.

And I am told, this is just the icing on the cake – there’s more!

Before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament we find the champion over fear itself – the Man God who suffered as our Savior. He taught us how to accept the cross and carry it bravely. And He invited us to join Him on the journey – to be brave.

And this visit usually unlocks another secret to Being Brave in the Scared…

Sometimes, when I am SURE that I am alone in the Adoration chapel- I sing!

There must be a scientific connection to the act of singing and the calming of one’s fears! It worked for the three men in the fiery furnace, right? “They walked around in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the Lord.”

Singing has a way of soothing one’s pain and multiplying one’s joy. It was singing that welcomed Our Lord as a newborn baby in Bethlehem. Zachary sang when his tongue was freed from its banishment. And Mary sang a canticle of praise when her heart overflowed with joy.  Our voice raised in song seals the sacred and scatters the scared. 

Say that three times fast! 😉

What does Being Brave in the Scared mean to you, dear friend?

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In Adoration, I have placed my wounded heart in His and watched it grow more and more in strength each day.

In Adoration, I have placed my joyful heart on His and watched the light return to its source.

In Adoration, I have placed my tender heart with shaking hands on His and watch it become brave, even in the scared.

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