Courage
(by Pam Spencer, May 16, 2026)
Sit down, grab a cup of coffee or tea. This is going to be a long one…..
The past two weeks of my life and my son's have been some of the most tumultuous days of our lives. We have lost several of Matt's closest young friends: Andre in 2013, Seth in 2014 and Mitchell in 2016, but this week, we lost the dad of one of Matt's friends, Ryan.
Ryan married the love of his life, Grace got on April 25th. Beautiful, stunning wedding!! Two hearts melded into one. Everything went absolutely beautifully!!! Exquisite!!!
Then, tragedy struck. Unexpected. Impossible. Unbelievable. One week after the wedding, Ryan's dad went in for "routine" neck surgery. Mistakes were made. Seizures started and would not stop. Corrections were made and hope lifted her head. But another mistake was made and more seizures came about. Drug induced coma......organ failure.....and ultimately led to Gregg being "Promoted to Heaven."
As deep of a faith that I have had all of my life, I could not quit crying! I could not stop asking:
"Why, Lord, Why?" Usually, I can calm my emotions down and get to a place of peace, but not this time. It was Not supposed to be this way! “NO,” I cried out, over and over and over again!!
One of my devotions by Sarah Young, the author of Jesus Calling, Jesus Always and Jesus Listens has this to say:
“Don’t get trapped in a posture of demanding to know “Why?” That is the wrong question to ask God. The right questions are: “How do You want me to view this situation?” and “What do YOU want me to do right now?” You cannot change the past, so start with the present moment and seek to find My way forward.”
Pretty great questions to stop and ask, aren’t they? It helps me every time I stop and Ask God those two questions.
Then, a few days later, a different devotion talked about when people ask after a tragedy as struck like a Tornado, a Hurricane or an unexpected death:
“Where is God in all this?” The answer a mom gave to her son was: “Look for the helpers.” In each tragedy that occurs, there are always people helping, lending a hand, building a new house for someone, churches who come to aid in a whole town devastated by a tornado, Samaritan’s Purse during COVID. There are a MILLION examples of “helpers” who show up at just the right time!
Now, transition back to Ryan, Matt and all the groomsmen and bridesmaids, and lifelong friends of Ryan who showed up at the ICU waiting room. Helpers! One and all. The extraordinary part of this group of friends who celebrate EVERYTHING together is that they make up a cohesive ball that NEVER comes apart! From the time some of them were 6-7 years old in elementary school, to 5th grade when two elementary schools merged and went on to middle school, then high school, this group of friends stayed together!!! Thick or thin. They were and ARE there for each other. Helpers.
Where is God in all of this? In each one of these friends hearts. This cohesive ball is extraordinary. One of a kind. Stronger bond than any I have seen anywhere in my life. They NEVER come apart.
Now consider this:
Courage means: The quality of mind that enables one to face danger with self-possession or confidence. Courage also means bravery. Having courage means you are being courageous even though you may be fearful.
One of my favorite quotes on Courage is this:
"Courage does not always roar,
Sometimes, it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
I will try again tomorrow."
(by Mary Anne Radmacher)
And, listen to this quote:
“What a GIFT God gives us when He blesses us with COURAGEOUS brothers and sisters committed to standing in unity when trials come.”
Tomorrow is here. Today. And, the day after, and the day after, and the day after that.
Gregg may be in Heaven with the Lord, but his “Helpers” are here with Ryan and Grace. With Gregg’s wife Evelyn. With all of their kids, siblings and all the extended family and friends who loved Gregg dearly.
They show up when Evelyn or Ryan (or any of the family) don’t even realize they need it. And, this cohesive ball of courageous and incredible young men and women will be by their side. Always. How about that for COURAGEOUS????
