“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
I sat in the hospital waiting room, not watching the muted television and trying not to listen to the doctor telling the woman three chairs over that he was pretty sure they got all of her husband’s cancer, but they’re not out of the woods yet.
I stuffed my hands in coat pockets and felt something in my hand. I pulled out the jewelry pin I had forgotten about. My sister Laura had asked me to hold it for her while she was in surgery.
I studied the image of the cowardly lion on the face of the pin and the word engraved beneath it: Courage. This pin makes its rounds in my family. My uncle had it a number of years ago when he suffered from a stroke and went through months of rehabilitation, learning to walk and talk again. The pin was with my cousin through a high-risk pregnancy, and now as my sister faces cancer she wears the pin on days she needs a boost of bravery.
The surgeon is probably starting the procedure, I said to myself. I said a prayer. I looked over the magazines on the table that I had no interest in reading and thought about the pin being sent where it was needed. Isn’t that what courage is? Being there, facing what you must face. I settled and watched the clock. Another hour passed. Finally, the surgeon walked toward me. I held my breath. He had good news.
Dear Lord, the strength of Your presence is always with me, right here in my heart, giving me the power to face anything.
