Braver Than Last Time

by | May 4, 2021 | Children & Kids | 16 comments

boy_pointing_up.jpeg

I love purple, and all shades of that color. 

When I add blueberries to my morning breakfast smoothie, my glass is purple from the berries. 

I love the smell of lavender. It’s a soothing, comforting scent. It’s one of my favorite flowers, along with lilacs and violet petunias. Not only do they smell amazing, but they are so beautiful. Purple flowers always find their way to my heart.

But, my favorite shade of purple is an 8.5-year-old, curly-haired, hazel-eyed, energetic, sweet little girl named Violet Baez. She totally has my heart.

Our branch started doing Zoom meetings with our youth every month, and I do one with the 8-to-12-year-old group. The children are absolutely precious and so innocent. I have truly enjoyed my time with them.

In our Zoom class the other day, I taught the fruits of the spirit. 

We started by naming our favorite “real” fruit and why we liked it. They listed off apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and more tasty fruits. 

Then, we discussed the fruits of the spirit, one by one, and what they mean to us.

When I got to faith, I asked them what they thought it meant. 

Violet raised her hand right away, and as precious as a child can be, said, “It means to be more brave than last time.” 

She proudly smiled and her face lit up.

I have to admit, it choked me up. It was absolutely precious to me.

We know that having faith means we completely trust God, have firm conviction, and the assurance that the Lord is working, even though we cannot see it at times. 

But, just like Violet said, it also means to “be more brave than last time.”

In uncomfortable situations, where we might have to stand up for what we believe in…we should be more brave than last time.

In times when we have to speak the truth, and we are afraid…we should be more brave than last time.

When someone speaks against another person, and we know we need to say something to defend that person…we should be more brave than last time.

When we know God is directing us down a path, but the human in us is nervous…we should be more brave than last time.

We teach our children things, but our children teach us too. I will keep what Violet said that day in my heart. 

And the next time we feel uncertain of something, we should remember our faith… 

And be more brave than last time.

Be brave. Be courageous. Stand on the Truth. Deuteronomy 31:6.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.

16 Comments

  1. Alfred Mendenhall

    Paraphrase From out of the mouths of babes.

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      All glory to God!🙌🏻

      Reply
  2. Brother Gary Thompson

    Amen Sister. Amen young but wise violet. Out of the mouth of babes for sure. All three of boys taught me somethings over the years but The LORD used my youngest Brother Justin to teach me many things when he was younger. Thanks for sharing. GOD Bless You guys.

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      Amen!🙌🏻

      Reply
  3. Linda Scolaro

    It is always beautiful to see a perspective through a child’s lens. Their simplicity makes what should be obvious clear. What a great understanding Violet has and may it continue to grow in the children’s hearts.

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      Amen!🙌🏻

      Reply
  4. Wayne Conti

    Dear sister Colleen, I was so very moved by the story of young Violet. It very much reminded me of my testimony where again, from the mouths of babes, I was touched by the Holy Spirit to commit my life to the Lord. It happened to me when my oldest son at the age of 9 approached me and said, “ Daddy you know if you aren’t baptized you can’t get to Heaven”. Wow, no more impactful words have ever been spoken and they came from a child. Yes one week later I was baptized. May God continue to inspire, lead, guide and direct you. Keep up the beautiful blogs!

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      All glory to God! Amen!🙌🏻

      Reply
  5. Joann

    Wow! Wow! How great is this thought that Violet shared. This means so much to me. I am always afraid. God bless you for this. Wow!

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this! All glory to God! Children are so precious!♥️🙌🏻

      Reply
  6. Christina DiCenzo

    Love it & Amen to that sweet Violet!

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      Amen!♥️

      Reply
  7. Kim Komjathy

    Just perfect! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      All glory to God! Amen!♥️

      Reply
  8. Brenda Capone

    Beautiful & sweet story!
    Out of the mouth of babes ♥️

    Reply
    • Colleen Moore

      Amen!♥️

      Reply

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