Courage, the determination not to be overwhelmed by any object, however frightful, enables us to stand up to any fear. Many of our fears are not mere snakes under the carpet. Trouble is a reality in this strange medley of life, dangers lurk within the circumference of every action, accidents do occur, bad health is an ever-threatening possibility, and death is a stark, grim, and inevitable fact of human experience. Evil and pain in this conundrum of life are close to each of us, and we do both ourselves and our neighbors a great disservice when we attempt to prove that there is nothing in this world of which we should be frightened. These forces that threaten to negate life must be challenged by courage, which is the power of life to affirm itself in spite of life's ambiguities. This requires the exercise of a creative will that enables us to hew out a stone of hope from a mountain of despair.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love

"You're very courageous to be doing this magazine."

Those were the words spoken to me by a man after I conducted a Sunday School program at St. Mark United Methodist Church last Sunday. I've heard those words before, from letter writers and others with whom I've spoken about the magazine.

I always have to chuckle when I hear the words. Courageous. I don't feel courageous. I'm only doing what I know God has instructed me to do. I've often thought of not doing the magazine, of closing it down. But that's impossible. I can't. I've been given my assignment, and this is it. Stopping would be wrong, and against God's will for my life. So I continue, and I get called courageous.

When I think of courage, I think of Mel White. Here's a courageous man, who after years of marriage, and years of writing books for men like Jerry Falwell, he came out. He's experienced the pain and evil Dr. King talks about. There are consequences for courage. I've read Mel's book, and I know he was scared witless by what might happen to him if he came out. But, armed with his courage, he took those steps and hewed out a stone of hope from a mountain of despair. That's courage.

I suppose I should not sell myself short in the courage department. I've been hasseled by bigots and threatened by hate-filled people calling themselves Christians. But like Mel, like Dr. King, I can only do what God commands. I step out on faith each day, and face whatever challenge life puts before me, for I can do nothing else.

Each of us must have this courage. If you're in the closet, come out. If you're out already, speak up, get involved. If you're involved, talk about your faith, teach the gay and lesbian community that they too are children of God.

We all must do our part to hew out that stone of hope, for our mountain of despair is large and forboding. Have courage.

Blessings,
Candace