This week while at lunch with a fellow teacher she told me that she thought I was very valiente {vah-lee-en-tay} brave. Brave for moving to a country that was not my own. Brave for moving far from my family. Brave for living alone. Brave for living every day in a second language. I smiled and thanked for the compliment, but then I also had to kindly tell her that I didn't really agree with her. I don't feel all that brave, especially after reading the definition above. When, during my move here, have I endured danger or pain? Did it really frighten me to move here? I of course can understand why my colleague found these actions to be brave: here in Chile it is common for multiple generations of families to live together in one house, and if they do leave home, they don't go too far. I have had lots of practice discussing this very issue with many concerned Chileans and I passionately believe every word when I tell them: "I am not defined by a nationality nor confined by borders. For me, the thought of moving to another country is equal to that of moving to another state or city: new job, new cultures, new friends. I had the privilege to attend a wonderful university, but it was away from my family. I had the privilege of a wonderful teaching job right out of college, but it was even further away from my family. Skype, long car rides, and plane rides are a reality...how blessed to be living in a time with such technology! But most of all I know that God is constantly with me, providing me with more than what I need and blessing me with new friends and family. Sure, sometimes it is rough and sometimes I long to be home, but the life I am living here every day is important too." I recognize that some people find these actions to be courageous and I am very flattered that someone might choose to bestow such a lovely adjective upon me...but from my point of view I just don't see it. So, that got me thinking...the common usage of the word "brave" is rather subjective. When we see someone fighting through or doing something that would be difficult or fearful for us personally, we declare them brave and courageous. So, according to this definition, here are just a few people I personally declare to be brave: *People who serve in the armed forces, putting their own life on the line. *A surgeon who holds someone's life in their hands. *Parents...who hold someone's life and the future of our world in their hands. *Pilots who lands a 75,000 lb airplane that is traveling around 200 mph. ( But seriously, how do airplanes even work again...? #mindblown) (Feel free to leave a comment below celebrating who you define as brave!) And of course, the best part of all is God's grace. His grace is the reason I don't have to be afraid. His undeserved love for me gives me the strength that I need to be confident each day of my life, no matter where I am. Grace changes everything.
5 Comments
LENORE
5/1/2016 08:36:41 pm
I think people who must overcome an unseen adversity just to live a "normal" life are brave - especially when they walk out on the limb of trust with the Lord.
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Jennifer
5/7/2016 11:13:58 pm
Thank you for your thoughts, Lenore!
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Theresa Schaffer
5/4/2016 03:06:37 pm
I do think you are Brave Jenny...loved the article. To me brave is doing something you thought you could never do but then you just do it!!! For example, My dream was always to attend NLA in Mobridge, SD from Yakima, WA as a 14 year old...but as soon as my dad drove away on that August day back in 1975 - I felt alone as my whole family and all my friends were back in WA and I was in this strange state and campus..But Miss Frank soon made us attend our first BB practice and I was well on my way to making new friends and finding new normals. Brave is holding on to your faith and never letting it go - no matter what!!! Brave is sending your children off to school that first day and just knowing they are safe but worrying all day long until you see them again after school. But the bravest thing to do is to hold onto God's Word in this world, where Satan seeks to destroy God's Children on a daily basis.
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Jennifer
5/7/2016 11:18:52 pm
Thanks for your thoughts, Theresa! How brave and trusting are so many parents and students who make sacrifices to be able to attend a faithful Christian school! Hugs to you and your family!
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Jayne Jaeger
5/8/2016 11:27:41 pm
Hello, Proebs! IMHO, Brave people never think of themselves as brave. (Imagine a thoughtful soul considering the issue and then nodding decisively, "Yes! I am brave!" Doesn't happen.)
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