I never remember as a child wanting to be a princess. The idea of puffy dresses and sparkly crowns just never appealed to me. It still doesn’t. I much prefer bare feet and muddy toes.
However, I’m intrigued by a good royal story. From fairy tales to true life, I just can’t get enough. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to reread the book of Esther.
Esther had so many qualities that I hope to instill in my mini-me.
She loved God.
She loved her country
She surrounded herself with and sought wise counsel.
She had a strong sense of duty
She was beautiful inside and out.
She was a woman of prayer
She was a woman of purpose
She was brave
Brave. I think about that word a lot lately.
Are people born brave? Or is it circumstance that brings that out of us?
Can one be brave without the testing that circumstance brings? Do the brave feel like they are brave?
I would not consider myself a brave person. There are many things that terrify me- Deep water, snakes, the Zilwaukee bridge.
In November, Art and I went to NYC and visited the top of the Empire State Building. I was so excited to go up those 86 floors. But you know what? The minute I stepped out onto that observation deck, my body froze. I was terrified as I found myself clinging to the wall. That fear subsided after a few minutes But it was totally unexpected.
By taking that first step away from the wall, I was pushing thru the fear to accomplish a much needed purpose (to not die!) Isn’t that the very definition of bravery?
Esther found herself in a moment where she had to choose between comfort or bravery. She had to be terrified knowing that if she didn’t act, her people faced certain death. If she did act, she herself could very likely be the one who would die.
This moment of braveness is captured perfectly when Mordecai says, “perhaps you were born for such a time as this”.
That’s how I’m choosing to face my fears. With the wise words of Mordecai ringing in my head, I will look at trials (as well, as good times) as moments that I was born for. Moments where I can choose faith over fear, courage over comfort.
I will be brave.
***UPDATE***
We are in week 3 of 5!! I have just 2 more Chemo days and 13 radiation treatments left.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
I have very few side effects. My biggest is fatigue, which hits me Friday afternoon and lasts most of the weekend.
All in all, I’m doing wonderful. My hemoglobin was a tad low this morning. It should be in the 12-16 range. Mine was 11.4. It’s something they’ll just continue to watch, but they aren’t really concerned.
My appetite is good. Almost too good. Lol There is just not enough food somedays.
But lots of foods don’t like me either. It’s a balancing act, for sure.
Arden is counting down the days until I can pick her up again. She asks almost everyday if today is the day the doctor will take off my bandage. (Pic line).
She is doing much better after last week’s meltdown. The day we spent out and lots of sleep and extra snuggles seems to be doing the trick.
However, I’m intrigued by a good royal story. From fairy tales to true life, I just can’t get enough. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to reread the book of Esther.
Esther had so many qualities that I hope to instill in my mini-me.
She loved God.
She loved her country
She surrounded herself with and sought wise counsel.
She had a strong sense of duty
She was beautiful inside and out.
She was a woman of prayer
She was a woman of purpose
She was brave
Brave. I think about that word a lot lately.
Are people born brave? Or is it circumstance that brings that out of us?
Can one be brave without the testing that circumstance brings? Do the brave feel like they are brave?
I would not consider myself a brave person. There are many things that terrify me- Deep water, snakes, the Zilwaukee bridge.
In November, Art and I went to NYC and visited the top of the Empire State Building. I was so excited to go up those 86 floors. But you know what? The minute I stepped out onto that observation deck, my body froze. I was terrified as I found myself clinging to the wall. That fear subsided after a few minutes But it was totally unexpected.
By taking that first step away from the wall, I was pushing thru the fear to accomplish a much needed purpose (to not die!) Isn’t that the very definition of bravery?
Esther found herself in a moment where she had to choose between comfort or bravery. She had to be terrified knowing that if she didn’t act, her people faced certain death. If she did act, she herself could very likely be the one who would die.
This moment of braveness is captured perfectly when Mordecai says, “perhaps you were born for such a time as this”.
That’s how I’m choosing to face my fears. With the wise words of Mordecai ringing in my head, I will look at trials (as well, as good times) as moments that I was born for. Moments where I can choose faith over fear, courage over comfort.
I will be brave.
***UPDATE***
We are in week 3 of 5!! I have just 2 more Chemo days and 13 radiation treatments left.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
I have very few side effects. My biggest is fatigue, which hits me Friday afternoon and lasts most of the weekend.
All in all, I’m doing wonderful. My hemoglobin was a tad low this morning. It should be in the 12-16 range. Mine was 11.4. It’s something they’ll just continue to watch, but they aren’t really concerned.
My appetite is good. Almost too good. Lol There is just not enough food somedays.
But lots of foods don’t like me either. It’s a balancing act, for sure.
Arden is counting down the days until I can pick her up again. She asks almost everyday if today is the day the doctor will take off my bandage. (Pic line).
She is doing much better after last week’s meltdown. The day we spent out and lots of sleep and extra snuggles seems to be doing the trick.