Notes to my Grandchildren 6: What is one of the bravest things you’ve ever done, and what was the outcome?
Before I answer this, it’s important to differentiate between being brave (or courageous) and taking risks. Quite often we see people who will risk their life because they are seeking an adrenaline rush or just because they are risk adverse. These people rarely turn down a dare and are always pushing their physical limits and are refining their abilities to defy gravity.
While I don’t consider myself a dare devil or adrenaline junkie, I have done a few things pushing the limits of gravity. There’s a lake in Opelika, Alabama several of us visited one summer with a 50-75 foot cliff you can climb and jump off into the lake. Yes, I jumped. Once! I was, however, bruised from my left hip to my knee and didn’t sleep well that night. You know how much I love snow skiing and by the time you are reading this we will have shared several trips. I like pushing my limits a bit and have skied a few steep pitches. One of the scariest was at Big Sky, Montana. There is an area you hike called the Headwall (see picture). It was probably the scariest and most tedious physical accomplishment of my life. Let me repeat, I do not consider myself a dare devil, but I am glad I have pushed a few limits.

Having said that, risking your life does not make you brave! Risking your life for someone else makes you Brave!
Fortunately, I never had to serve in the military. I do, however, have great respect for those who have served and sacrificed their life or their physical well being protecting our freedom. Nothing I have done comes even close. That’s brave!
These words of Jesus have guided me: John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
My bravest moments have been when I have stood up for the underdog. My bravest moments are when I have decided not to make fun of people because of their limitations, their social status, their culture, their race. My bravest moments are when I have intervened when I felt like someone was being threatened. Many years ago, I was at a restaurant with some friends. As I was preparing to get in my car, I noticed some men gathering around the car of one of the women who had been with us. They were sort of bullying her and yelling at her not to hit their truck. I got out of my car, and fortunately one of our good friends, Wade Thigpen, got out too. We just walked over and stood by her car and helped guide her out of the parking spot. We didn’t challenge the men. We didn’t bully back. We just were present. I do remember getting back in my car and feeling my heart racing and being very glad Wade was there!
For me, bravery means not cheating people out of what they deserve. It means serving and sacrificing for your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc! Standing up what for you believe. Almost every week for 40 years, I stood up and proclaimed my belief Jesus was the son of God; he lived and died so I could know I could have a personal relationship with His Father. Though I am not in the public eye proclaiming that any longer, I still stand up for my belief. It really is the basis for how and why I serve and sacrifice. If you do the same, you will be brave!
Don’t live in fear! Get on the merry go round! Ride the roller coaster. White water raft. Ski the Black Diamonds! Navigate the bumps. It’s good practice which will one day enable you to do really Brave things, like laying down your life for other!
As I write this, there is one risky activity I still am considering! A tandem skydiving jump! I am 69 writing this. Maybe I will do this on my 70th birthday. To be continued…