Brave Enough To Be Bliss

6. Compelled to worship. The purpose of carrying this light isn’t to draw attention to ourselves but to compel others to worship God. The global Church is meant to be the brightest light the world has ever seen, and you get to be part of that city, the Church.

Though the sun may sink beneath the horizon and the world may become increasingly dark, the glory of such a city cannot be missed.

This is the prayer that followed… God, I am honored to represent You here on earth. Each day, help me live a life that is pleasing to You. Please inspire every action, word, and thought I have, and use them to draw others to You. I am Your servant — allow my life to be a light in the darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then I prayed before I fell asleep for Him to give me the words to pull it all together. Everything I have just described is the result.

Thank you, not just from the bottom of my heart, but with all that I am, for your kindness, love and support to help me get here.

I love you, Mom

“Dr. King gave the ‘I have a dream’ speech, not the ‘I have a plan’ speech. It’s dreams that change the course of history.” Simon Sinek

Well, the joy I felt having shared all this is not exactly the first response I was met with when Kylee called me with grave concern about my safety. Remember, her police officer husband works, and her best friend’s brother was shot in the head, right in this high crime area I referenced wanting to live in. She understandably wants her mom to be safe and she was under the impression I meant I would be doing this as soon as I finished writing the book and moved back to Kansas City. It sounded very quick to her, and perhaps not well thought out. She has always felt that I’m not aware of my surroundings, even though I am . I finally explained to her that since she’s become an adult, I just know I don’t have to be as aware when I’m with her because she always is. I explained to her it would take time for such a plan to unfold, and that is if it really did all happen. She calmed down after I explained all of this, and we agreed I would enroll in a self-defense class when I got back as a first step in the plan. It made me smile knowing she was protective of her mom, but nothing she said deterred me from the desire to do all I could to make it happen nor from the excitement I felt about the prospect. I will be smart about whatever I do, but I will not allow fear alone to guide my decision making especially when I believe it is God-inspired.

So, while perhaps dreamy that I could do such things, with God all things are indeed possible, so I will continue to listen and learn as I go.

Bette Midler - From A Distance | Lyrics Meaning (youtube.com)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

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