Brave

I love heart-to-hearts with Lynne. I seriously cannot tell you how much I learn from her.

And earlier this week, I had one of those talks with her that left me...eager to grow.
That particular morning, she was busy. We were both busy. But it was one of those talks I needed to have (read: advice and comfort I really needed) and she put aside the task at hand for a slightly out-of-sorts producer who needed her. (I love that about her, too.)

She listened with great compassion, and after offering her advice, she launched right into her Bekah-affirmation mode. She poured genuine love into me with her words and kindness, and then she did one of my favorite things. She leaned forward and gave me a glimpse into her heart.

I scooted to the edge of my seat and watched the twinkle deepen in her eyes as she said to me, “I want to be brave. I really do. And when I look at you, I see a girl who wants to be brave…and she can be.”

Almost couldn’t catch my breath for a minute. I think Lynne is one of the bravest women I’ve ever met. But to know that she still wants to chase and find bravery made it seem like the greatest of adventures.

And to know that she thinks I have what it takes to be brave…was an invitation to an adventure in and of itself.

Won’t lie to you. I’m about the biggest chicken I’ve EVER met. I hate confrontation. I hate discomfort. I resist change. (Lois, did you see that? I didn’t say hate! I said resist! I’m growing up!) I don’t think I have a brave bone in my entire body.

But to know I might be able to cultivate some bravery along the path of life gives me great hope. And to have someone whose own courage inspires me…tell me I have it in me…well, it was a gift.

So that’s my secret for today. She’s right. I do want to be brave. Probably a long road to get there, but maybe one day…many years from now…I can sit across from a chicken-girl-like-me and tell her I’m still chasing the bravery dream and I think she can too.