Blue Heron Courage

In her book When the Blue Heron Flies, Melannie Svoboda includes a poem called “Courage” that speaks of mental or moral strength beyond what one might consider normal bravery or heroism. The poem mentions a crocus “pushing up through the snow,” a hermit “praying in his cell,” and anyone “doing what is right.”

“We sometimes think courage is reserved for battlefields, courtrooms, and athletic fields,” she writes in her reflection, “but there are many other examples of courage that often go unnoticed.” Then she challenges the reader to think of other examples of courage.

🌺 🙏 😇

I immediately thought of the woman who decides to carry her baby to term, even though the pregnancy was unexpected and will cause disruptions in her life. I thought of the father, tired and worn, who forces himself every morning to dress for work in order to make a living and support his family. I thought of the diabetic who daily monitors blood glucose levels and consciously continues to make healthy food choices.

I thought of the nurse who compassionately bathes the homeless person brought to the emergency room in dire condition. I thought of the teacher who mentally counts to ten when the autistic child disturbs her classroom for the third time since class began. I thought of the grandfather who painfully shuffles to his curb to place a birthday greeting for his grandchild in his mailbox and struggles to lift its flag.

I thought of the former college athlete who volunteers to coach at a youth center and enthusiastically teaches rambunctious middle-schoolers skills that he can no longer perform proficiently. I thought of the adolescent who holds the hand of his younger sibling as they drop roses atop their mother’s coffin. I thought of the security guard who tolerantly places a call to the parents of a belligerent, shoplifting teenager who fought apprehension.

I thought of the unemployed parent who swallows her pride and sincerely thanks the volunteer at the food pantry. I thought of the pastor who wakes in the middle of the night to console sorrowful sheep. I thought of the banker who regretfully denies a mortgage because he is merely following the instructions of superiors.

I thought of the service representative who patiently offers alternatives to an angry customer. I thought of the activist who bravely faces opposition because she fervently believes in protecting the underprivileged. I thought of the lonely student who undauntedly ignores a bully and turns an F into a passing grade.

I thought of the bus driver who develops a friendship with the passenger who has an intellectual disability and frequents his route. I thought of the friend who confronts someone he cares about who has an addiction and promises support. I thought of the addict who attends her first twelve step meeting and admits she is powerless and that her life has become unmanageable.

I thought of the employer who hires the ex-convict and gives him a second chance. I thought of the husband who accompanies his wife to the oncologist and shares the weight of her fear. I thought of the parent who says “no” to her child even if it makes her an uncool mom.

I thought of the widow surviving on Social Security benefits who drops gifts in the donation box every Advent. I thought of the teenager who instead of playing a video game, cuts his neighbor’s grass while he is gone for chemotherapy treatment. I thought of the principal who fights for her teachers and her students and battles administration when necessary.

I thought of the coworker who donates PTO when her nemesis needs an operation. I thought of the son who visits his mother frequently in the nursing home despite her inability to recognize him. I thought of the older sister who praised her bratty sister’s piano performance after being reluctantly dragged to her recital.

I thought of the soldier waving goodbye to his parents as he boards the train that will take him to boot camp. I thought of the manager who apologizes to her staff, owns up to her mistake, and offers no excuses for it. I thought of the hospice worker who quietly speaks the words, “It’s time to let go.”

🌺 🙏 😇

Everyday miracles. Sister Melannie is right: pushing through hard times, praying, and doing what is right takes courage.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬