Brave

Art by my beautiful cousin Bailey Rees

Hank and I read one of his “Little Blue Truck” books before bed a few nights ago.

In this installment, thunder and lightning made it difficult for Little Blue, Toad, Goat, Horse, Sheep, Chicken, Pig, and all their friends to sleep.

Luckily there was enough room for all in Little Blue’s garage.

They waited out the storm together.

When the rain subsided, the lightning stopped, and the thunder quieted, his friends made their way home.

On the way out Goat said,

“It’s easy to be brave with you.”

Jake and I were sealed together a little over 5 years ago.

In the St. George temple I knelt across the altar from him and waited excitedly for my turn to say “Yes”.

A little worried my voice would be strained from lack of use, I cleared it quietly.

When it was my turn, my yes was not subtle.

I think I surprised the sealer a little.

He smiled though.

So did Jake.

Everyone chuckled a little at the gusto behind my “yes”.

I didn’t mind though.

Jake makes me brave.

The first time I studied the Old Testament, I was 11 years old.

I wanted to start the standard works from the very beginning.

It proved harder than I thought, so I was grateful my first year of seminary was spent in the Old Testament.

That year changed my life.

It changed my relationship with the scriptures and with the Savior.

I learned to look for Him while I read.

I learned some of the greatest stories of all time.

I met ordinary people turned brave by Jesus.

Moses was one of them.

The prophet with the speech impediment.

His trip down the Nile, his Burning Bush experience, his miracles in the wilderness, it all amazes me.

There’s one story I like best I think.

When Moses talks with God face-to-face.

God.

Almighty.

Endless.

And He calls Moses “My Son”.

Son of an Endless, Almighty God.

He tells him that He has an important work for him.

And I think just talking to Him changed Moses forever.

Satan comes to call shortly after.

I’ve always wondered what made Moses so brave.

So bold.

To be able to look at the adversary and say,

“Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?”

But I realized today.

It’s because of Him.

An Endless, Almighty God that claimed Moses as His son.

It’s because of His important work.

Because of Jesus Christ, Moses is brave.

Me too.

Sometimes lightning and thunder keep me up.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m equal to the tasks God has for me.

But then I remember.

An Endless, Almighty God claims me as His daughter.

And it makes me brave.

It’s easy to be brave with Him.

That makes me happy.