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The Holy Spirit + Obedience = Bravery

10/16/2021

4 Comments

 
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A year ago (summer 2020), like many people around the world we were having a family zoom call. AND, like many families, this call slid into a COVID discussion. AND, like many families, there was not uniform thinking on this issue. AND, as happened to many families, the discussion got a bit heated. I was on one end of the heat and another family member was on the other. I could see that this was moving quickly into unwanted territory (for me anyway), and I felt an urge to excuse myself from the zoom call and signed off. A mature thing to do.

Since then, this family member and I have had little contact because we don’t live close to each other, and when we did see each other via Zoom or FaceTime, we didn’t interact––at least I purposefully didn’t interact. NOT a mature thing to do.

I give you this backstory in order to tell you the good part.

A second incident happened recently (regarding a different topic), but this time my sister was also on the call. I was ready to add the incident to our ever growing emotional distance, but my sister wasn’t. She thought about it. I’m sure she prayed about it, and I am equally sure she felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to reach out. Which she did, in the most caring, unthreatening manner (which I learned about later). She had no idea how her actions would be received. In my eyes, this was an act of bravery.

To fully appreciate this next part, you need to know that my sister never mentioned me or the encounter from a year ago in her text.

The next morning, I received the most sincere apology from this family member not merely for the most recent encounter, but for the one over a year ago. Plus she admitted that the Holy Spirit had been working on her heart on many levels. Her apology, in my eyes, was a second act of bravery, as she had no idea how I would respond.

My sister’s courageous act opened the door for my relative’s equally courageous act. Meanwhile, I––the coward, the avoider, the keeper of offenses––benefited.

So here is what I have learned. Listening to the Holy Spirit and then obeying that push equals bravery, because it takes courage to reach out and confront in love and gentleness, and it takes just as much courage to be vulnerable and apologize.

I am eternally thankful for both my sister’s actions and my relative’s response, both heeding the urging of the Holy Spirit and then being obedient to it. Because of them, my relationship with my relative has been restored and in my eyes is stronger and deeper than it ever was.

Is the Holy Spirit talking to you today? Are you listening? Are you obeying? Are you being brave?


4 Comments
Linda C
10/16/2021 09:26:27 am

Thanks for this, Jody. I am enjoying our bible study on the Holy Spirit and learning things I didn't undeerstand before.

Reply
Jody
10/16/2021 05:29:09 pm

I am enjoying that study as well!

Reply
Pamela
10/16/2021 08:32:22 pm

Remember that everything we learn is from the examples set by our parents and siblings. 😊 Love you Jo.

Reply
Lynn Lutz
10/17/2021 06:07:06 am

You always give me food for thought Jody & this blog truly hit home with me. Thank you so much for sharing.

Reply



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    Author

    Jody Eileen Solinski spent her career teaching in the California public school system where she enjoyed helping young adults take their place in society. A native Californian, she enjoys the outdoors and so loves living in Northern California where she can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation up close.

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