God's Courage

I recently saw "The Help" with my oldest daughter. Actually, I should say I recently bawled through "The Help". It was a great movie that tugged at my heart. It was also a great book. Both offerings made me think.
Sure, I thought about the injustice of prejudice. I remember what it was like growing up in Southern Illinois. That injustice used to tear me in two. I just wanted to be everybody's friend. Wasn't that what I had learned in Sunday School? Wasn't that what Jesus wanted me to do?
Courage. Unfortunately, many people died for it during the civil rights movement. But some didn't. They were always an embodiment of strength to me. Rosa Parks. Coretta Scott King. The Little Rock Five. Courage.
I bought my oldest daughter a book about Ruby Bridges when she was little. We read it all the time. It was her favorite book. Sweet little girl who braved those crowds screaming at her. That's something far beyond courage. That's faith and trust in the One who gives us that courage. Little Miss Ruby used to pray for the people who tried to scare her.
"And a child shall lead them."
I've known alot of courageous people personally. My oldest daughter was bullied at her former school. It was horrible for her. We left. I wanted to leave because I was so mad I could spit. I prayed even though I didn't want to. And when God gave me my answer, I obeyed. But until then, my daughter bravely faced those bullies. She didn't want to fight back. She told me, "That's not what Jesus wants me to do."
Now, I watch as my mother cares for my ailing father. Honestly, I worry more for her than for him. I know he's getting excellent, loving care. He has for forty-eight years. My mother bravely soldiers on no matter how tired, frustrated or hurt she becomes. Some of the couples my parents considered their best friends never call. My mother is finding out who her true friends are.
At the end of "The Help" the main character's mother tells her how proud she is of her. And that courage sometimes skips a generation. That line hit home with me. I thought about all the courageous people in my family. I squeezed my daughter's hand as I remembered those bullies. I thought about my mother bravely getting up every morning to make my dad's day as comfortable as possible. I thought about my grandmothers and my grandfathers. I thought about my dad. And I thought about myself.
Courage may skip a generation in some families. And in others, God hands down His courage to every member.