Minor Celeb, Major Courage

Finishing up my last sip of lemon water on a lunch out with my parents and friends, I looked up and saw him, recognizing instantly his characteristic dreadlocks from season seven of American Idol: Jason Castro was about to be only feet away from me.

Now, living in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, you see your fair share of celebrities, ranging in levels of famousness. But I never do anything about it. I just tell someone later that "I saw so-and-so" with absolutely no proof to support my story--not that anyone has ever doubted me.

But today the twelve-year-old girl inside of me said, "You should have your picture taken with him." I'm not the type to ask, though, so we left the restaurant. My mom was outside, and I asked her, "Did you see him?" She didn't know who he was, even when I explained. "You should ask him," she said. "Did he win?"

"No," I told her.

"Then he'll love it."

So. I. Did.

And here is the proof.

Believe it or not, my intent with this blog isn't to brag to you about my brush with fame today (though, aren't you wishing you'd been with me?). When I re-walked out of the restaurant, my friends and my mom asked what I said to him. "I just asked if it would be weird if I asked him to have his picture taken with me." Why didn't I say more, they wanted to know. "Because my boldness level for the day had reached its max capacity."

I have too many I once thought I should have done this but I didn't stories. Today, for some reason, I decided I was going to have an I once thought I should have done this, and did it, by golly story.

It's not really a huge deal, in the grand scheme of life, but for me, popping my happy comfort bubble made me skirmish at that moment, but has turned into a story filled with reward rather than regret.

“Be strong and courageous” (Deuteronomy 31:6, 31:7, 31:23; Joshua 1:6, 1:7, 1:9, 1:18, 10:25; 1 Chronicles 28:20, 2 Chronicles 32:7). I think that was the longest in-text citation I have ever typed. God must be serious about courage. We are told to be on guard…"be courageous, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13), “stand firm” (Ephesians 6:14), and to “rise up” when a particular matter is up to us to deal with, to “take courage and do it” (Ezra 10:4).

So today's particular matter was a silly bit of fun, but it showed me I can do things outside of myself. No matter the size or importance of the task--"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

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