thoughts on being brave

Thursday, May 23


Lately, i've been thinking a lot about bravery. 
to face your past with grace
and allow the wounds to heal no matter how painful they are to drag up.
to hope greatly for the beauty of the future,
and mostly, to live confident in the present that God is trustworthy, and we need not fear.

and then this massive wave of emotion came with a swell large and powerful,
for in the last two months of being here, i've witnessed living bravery.

in the girls.


for those of you readers who are new,
Kevin and I work in Nepal with the most precious girls you will ever lay eyes on.
who have been prey to the dirtiest of evils.
of men who pay for their bodies, and abuse their innocence.
of trafficking across borders and across towns.
it makes me sick.

but every day I watch them fight.
i see them face their past in counseling,
head to head with fears and evil.
I notice when they take steps to not let their past define them, 
to go to school and learn and be dilligent with their homework 
because they want to make a better future for themselves.
And mostly, I feel their love that radiates in hugs and blown kisses
and snuggles as we sit and talk and share life together.

And even though they have every excuse to be angry, bitter girls,
with brave hearts,
they choose to move forward in love.

it's hard for me to comprehend sometimes 
it just doesn't make sense. 

but then, the lyrics to charlie hall's song "you are God" hit me...

You fill our hearts with love and faith
You fight for us, You make us brave
You are God, You are God.

and that's when I realized, 
HE makes us brave. 
and He's fighting for us every.step.of.the.way. 

and so I thank God that in his love, he is empowering these girls to be brave, day by day. 
and in his mercy, He allows me the same power to choose courage. 

and if you're feeling low or sapped of energy, uninspired, or downright fearful,
pray that fresh fire will fall in your heart, sparking the courage it takes to face each day with grace. 

i'm telling you, it can happen
because it's happened in my black heart
and it's happening in a little girls home in kathmandu. 

and when the fire sparks and catches flame, the blazing roar can change the world. 

“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze.” -Catherine of Siena

love Katie
ps- suuuccchhh exciting news to come soon! can't wait to share with all of you! 

25 comments :

  1. I know I say this every single time but I love all the photos! So much beauty!!

    I love this post and that quote has really got me thinking . . . thanks for all the inspiration Katie.

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  2. These are such beautiful pictures!
    love you kate!
    <3 lele

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  3. What an amazing post!! I love hearing about all the amazing experiences God is letting you have with these wonderful girls.

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  4. I have found your blog today and it is so wonderful how you speak about God.
    Your words are drawing me closer in my own faith.
    Thank you!

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  5. My absolute favorite quote. Always such a good reminder to simply be the person God intended you to be!

    This post melted my heart...what examples of courage and joy these precious little ones are...

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  6. "it got me thinking about bravery.
    to face your past with grace and allow the wounds to heal no matter how painful they are to drag up.
    to hope greatly for the beauty of the future, and mostly, to live confident in the present that God is trustworthy, and we need not fear."
    Oh my goodness! I read that OVER and OVER again! Love your heart. Love your openness. So raw! <3 Keep posting :)

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  7. You are simply amazing. I love reading your blog. I am always inspired, encouraged and uplifted and always what I need to hear. Thank you for inspiring me to continue on the path of being brave. You and kevin rock! :)

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  8. What a beautiful post! It brings me to tears to think about these girl, what they've been through, and what God is doing in their lives! Thank you for this!

    I'm also excited to hear the good news! :-)

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  9. Beauty. every single word.

    Thank you for sharing this post. "pray that fresh fire will fall in your heart, sparking the courage it takes to face each day with grace. " really spoke to me.....

    and..um...you can't leave us hanging! NOT COOL! Katie, NOT COOL ;) Waiting anxiously!

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  10. Every time I journey over to this space of yours, my soul feels so...refreshed. Your words radiate peace and radical, awe-inspiring faith. I am so thankful to call you a blog friend, and I'm so excited to hear this news of yours :)

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  11. I love you. I love this, and I really want to Skype with you sometime. I will most likely cry and try to hug you through the screen:) I'm going to e mail you back soon. And it makes my heart feel so happy that what I wrote resonated with you today. Thank you for being brave too. I look up to you so much!

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  12. I really enjoyed this post. That is so awesome that you are working with two girls who have had a rough past. I love looking back onto who I used to be and then feel that overpowering feeling that God totally washed me clean. He is good and faithful! His love changes us, thats for sure! :).

    xo

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  13. Wow....simply beautiful with such a powerful reminder!! That we would have the courage and faith to be strong and courageous in the L,ord!
    Praying for ya sweet girl!
    Rebecca :)

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  14. this.is.b e a u t i f u l. and seriously just what i needed to hear.
    i've been thinking so much lately of how, wonderful i have life. i mean, God blesses me so incredibly much. and there are people all over the world in so much hurt and pain, but they keep going. being brave, having faith. this post blessed me so much. thanks so much sweet girl

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  15. Sista Katie!
    So beautiful to see God working in those girls lives! Praise Him!!! Praying for you both as you continue to work for His kingdom!!! Hugs and hugs!!

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  16. It's sounds like you are doing amazing work!! May God continue to bless your hearts work!!

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  17. I really love this post Katie. <3 Such beautiful words and it's moving to hear about what the Lord is doing in both the lives of the girls and in your own heart. bravery can sometimes be a scary topic, but I'm so happy you talk about it. The Lord doesn't call us to live lives of mediocrity and fear. He calls us to live fearless, brave lives that glorify Him. Such a beautiful post.

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  18. you are such a beautiful writer, Katie, thank you always for sharing your thoughts. your comment "to live confident in the present that God is trustworthy, and we need not fear"...I've been listening back through McKenzie Study Center's talks on Genesis and he always goes back to saying the stories are about the question "will we trust God with our needs, or will we try to take care of ourselves and do it ourselves?" - the Fall was a lapse of trust in God, and so on in each story that follows . Abram is the story of God building trust back in to one man, slowly, over many experiences, so that by the time he had to do what was hardest - kill his son - he did not hesitate. Your post makes me see that along the same lines to trust God is to be brave. Not pride in ourselves, but brave. I like was one of the talks said - "trust God to take care of you, so you can focus on taking care of others". <3

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  19. you are such a beautiful writer, Katie, thank you always for sharing your thoughts. your comment "to live confident in the present that God is trustworthy, and we need not fear"...I've been listening back through McKenzie Study Center's talks on Genesis and he always goes back to saying the stories are about the question "will we trust God with our needs, or will we try to take care of ourselves and do it ourselves?" - the Fall was a lapse of trust in God, and so on in each story that follows . Abram is the story of God building trust back in to one man, slowly, over many experiences, so that by the time he had to do what was hardest - kill his son - he did not hesitate. Your post makes me see that along the same lines to trust God is to be brave. Not pride in ourselves, but brave. I like was one of the talks said - "trust God to take care of you, so you can focus on taking care of others". <3

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  20. Wow. Beautiful and powerful Katie. Keep writing, because God keeps moving others, me included, by your words.

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  21. an amazing post!! I'm so glad you don't exploit their faces when these children have been exploited enough too. How amazing!! Love these photos and your hearts and the lessons you are learning as well as the girls you spend time with are learning.
    +Victoria+

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  22. girlfriend...i just adore you! I was telling one of the nurse's living with me about y'all and just felt overwhelmed with love for a couple whom I have never met in person but look forward to one day! :) Y'all blow me away!!! & DYING to hear the exciting news!!!! Love you!!!

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  23. Katie, can I just say thank you? Thank you for writing, thank you for going where God takes you, and thank you for your obedience to His voice. I just found your blog and am LOVING every single post. My husband and I are going to India sometime soon (whenever God gives the 'go-ahead'). He told us two months ago and we couldn't be more thrilled. I love, love, love reading about how Jesus is working in lives of people, and I am so excited to read more about yours!

    Take care, praying for you!
    Katie

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I LOVE hearing from you friend:) Your comment will make my day!