Courage

 A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to go to a Celine Dion concert.

While I remember a lot about the concert,

What I remember most came to me out of the blue yesterday morning as I was praying about what to write for today’s beginning of the school year post.

 

At the time of the concert,

Celine had recently lost her husband.

As part of her grief,

She introduced the song, “Courage.”

While the song primarily deals with living through the loss of a loved one,

The chorus can apply to so much more:

 

“Courage, don’t you dare fail me now

I need you to keep away the doubts

I’m staring in the face of something new

You’re all I’ve got to hold on to

So, courage, don’t you dare fail me now.”

 

Courage: the ability to do something that frightens you.

 

Courage: the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

 

Courage: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

 

Courage: being a public-school teacher in a society that constantly tries to undermine the importance of diversity, equality, accessibility, experience, and education.

 

Oh God: Grant us, grant me, the courage to face this new school year with steadiness, hope, and belief in the work that teachers do for humankind. Help us to stand boldly for what is good and right and help teachers to educate our students’ whole selves—not just the academic parts that place pressure down our throats. Grant courage to students, alike, to face the year with an openness for growth and learning that results in healthy and whole human beings. Help us all to navigate through the fears, doubts, and worries that are setting in as a new school year begins, and help us to land on the possibilities of what can be when we face the year with You.

 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16: 13-14)

 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

 

Amen.