You Make Me Brave

You Make Me Brave

I have so many different stories from my time this summer in Zambia but this one continues to be brought back to my mind over and over again.  My last day in the classroom in Zambia, the teacher asked the students if they would like to get up and tell stories.  I thought they would be telling pieces of their “life story” but that was not the case.  They were given the opportunity to get up and “make up” stories and they were so excited!  The first little girl to eagerly raise her hand was Emeria.  She is one of the older students in the class and has a seizure disorder as well as what appears to be minor cerebral palsy. She can get around but walks with a limp, her hands are a tad withdrawn, and she has a speech impediment.  As she walked to the front of the classroom, I wondered what her story would be.  Emeria began telling her story in Nyanja (which is the native language in Zambia) and for the first time I heard her stuttering.  I immediately wanted to jump up and help her because I was taken by surprise that she stuttered.  It wasn’t a little but a lot!  Even though I couldn’t understand a word that she said, I was fighting back tears as my heart was breaking for her more than it already was!  All I could see is how BRAVE and courageous she was amidst the laughing that was coming from the class.  She is physically handicapped and not only is her speech hard to understand, she stutters.  I know that if I were in her shoes, I would have never raised my hand and I am pretty sure I would have been staring at the floor in hopes that I wouldn’t make eye contact with the teacher. 

Precious Emeria

God just keeps reminding me that it is Him that makes us brave if we will allow him to.  God calls His children to step out in faith and I wonder how many times I haven’t been obedient because I have allowed fear to stop me.  He loves us more than we can imagine and when He calls us to something that we don’t think we can do, I just have to remember that it’s not me, it is Him.  Lord I pray that my faith will be big enough that I allow you to make me brave!  Thank you for using a 10 year old little girl who in the Zambian society is most likely looked down upon to remind me of the confidence that can only come from the Lord!!  Thank you Jesus that we can put all of our trust and confidence in you!

 There is a song that immediately popped in my head when Emeria was up speaking called “You Make Me Brave”.  Below are the lyrics which continue to speak to me and challenge me.

You Make Me Brave by: Bethel Music

I stand before You now
The greatness of your renown
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow

As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in

I have heard You calling my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
Your grace

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves

You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made

To hear the song click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hi-VMxT6fc