Courage to Remember

There is a well written book by Keck by the name, Forgetting whose we are. It is about living with someone with altzheimers. It speaks of the challenges to those who are care-givers as well as what this disease may look like from the perspective of the one who has it. It is well worth reading for family and friends.

But I think that disease is not the only thing that makes us forget who we are. Could we say that the young person who makes poor choices has forgotten whose they are? Could we say that the adult who moves in and out of relationships that are not healthy for them has forgotten whose they are? Could we say that the older adult who decides they've done everything they need to do and it is just time to coast has forgotten whose they are?

Perhaps, not to judge mind you, but to observe. God has given each of us gifts and talents and energy and for most all of us the means to be about wonderful work all through our lives. Whose we are then dictates what it is we are to do.

Whose we are-- as God's own children --claimed in our baptism and sent out into the world to find out what the world needs most--empowers us with courage to do what it is that needs to be done.

Maya Angelou said on a program the other night that Courage is an extremely important virtue. That with courage we can live out all the other virtues (though to note I did not find it listed among the Roman Virtues for good life). But I agree with Maya. Courage has given ordinary individuals the permission and the power to do great things. And that's what we are called to remember--- Whose we are- God's own Beloved --- now what--- Courage for whatever God calls us to do.

Listen--- beloved---remember----now Go out into the world to love and serve Jesus.
God Abides
Bobbie McGarey
@2004