Everyday courage.

By Nate Crary

My mom is the best.

No matter the situation I encounter or difficulty I face, she has always been a constant source of encouragement. Frequently I will open my personal email inbox to find a forwarded message from my mom that offers me an inspirational quote for the day. I even posted one such quote from Niccolo Machiavelli on my office wall when I first started at Christ the King back in 2015. It read: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”

In the month of August, we are focusing on our core value of nurturing faith. As a faith community, we value preparing all ages to live out their faith in daily life, offering hope and encouragement. How do you put this value into action in your daily walk with Jesus? When have you been encouraged by another to live fully into the promises of God’s abundant love and enduring grace? Where might we aspire to grow as a church that fosters a culture of nurture and care?

Speaking from experience, I haven’t found faith to be something that gets easier to live out as I get older. Because of this, I’ve learned that it’s really helpful to be a part of a faith community that not only has my back when I inevitably stumble and make mistakes, but one that nudges me forward when I’m feeling stuck. I am blessed by you, Christ the King, to have your support while we grow and learn and fail and journey together in faith.
 
If I could, I would share all of your email addresses with my mom so she could forward you the same encouraging notes she sends to me from time to time. It is incredible how a simple gesture like this helps me to process through the messiness that life throws my way. And, it is my prayer, that God provides you the encouragement you need today to live faith-fully into the hope that sustains you on your way.
 
I fear in the dark and the doubt of my journey;
but courage will come with the sound of your steps by my side.
-- from “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song” ELW 808

Amen