{"id":24598,"date":"2021-12-21T16:43:59","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T21:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mdkumc.org\/?p=24598"},"modified":"2022-02-04T02:00:08","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T07:00:08","slug":"for-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdkumc.org\/?p=24598","title":{"rendered":"For Courage"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John O\u2019Donohue.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Courage\"\".\u201d<\/p>\n

When the light around you lessens
\nAnd your thoughts darken until
\nYour body feels fear turns
\nCold as a stone inside,<\/p>\n

When you find yourself bereft
\nOf any belief in yourself
\nAnd all you unknowingly
\nLeaned on has fallen,<\/p>\n

When one voice commands
\nYour whole heart,
\nAnd it is raven dark,<\/p>\n

Steady yourself and see
\nThat it is your own thinking
\nThat darkens your world.<\/p>\n

Search and you will find
\nA diamond-thought of light.<\/p>\n

Know that you are not alone
\nAnd that this darkness has purpose
\nGradually it will school your eyes
\nTo find the one gift your life requires
\nHidden within this night-corner.<\/p>\n

Invoke the learning
\nOf every suffering
\nYou have suffered.<\/p>\n

Close your eyes.
\nGather all the kindling
\nAbout your heart
\nTo create one spark.
\nThat is all you need
\nTo nourish this flame
\nThat will cleanse the dark
\nOf its weight of festered fear.<\/p>\n

A new confidence will come alive
\nTo urge you toward higher ground
\nWhere your imagination
\nWill learn to engage difficulty
\nAs its most rewarding threshold!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n