The Best Definition of Courage

My daughter and I were talking about taking her training wheels off and learning to ride a bike.  She became very quiet and said, "You know, Mom, little hills mean little boo-boos.  And big hills mean big boo-boos."

I said, "So I guess you want to avoid the big hills on your bike." 

She paused and said, "Oh, no.  It just means we need a bigger first aid kit."

There you have it:  Courage means I ride full speed ahead, anticipate the wounds, and prepare with a great first aid kit.  For my daughter it means Hello Kitty band aids.  For the rest of us, it might mean we fill our kits with authentic friendships, strong ties to a community, a vibrant relationship to God, and the kind of space to heal.  It's not the height of the hill that matters.  It's not the danger, the risk, or the potential for failure.  Wounds are likely.   So I build the best first aid kit I can.  That's some 5 year old flair.