You Can Do It!

What is it about those four words? It’s like they carry the fragrance of hope in peony blossoms and the radiance of marigolds.

While writing Rain Dance, I worried about everything. Would I ever get the words right? Who was I to write a novel on such deep topics as infertility and abortion? What if no one liked it? As I wrote the chapter where Stacie has the abortion, I wept and prayed, “Please God – don’t let me hurt anyone!” Friends who listened to my concerns said, “You can do it.” I believed them when I could not believe in myself. Readers now write and say, “I’m like Stacie, I’m so glad you did this.” Me too.

About 10 years ago, I was on a gurney in St. Mary’s hospital. My ankle and leg had been seriously broken and my plaster cast after two surgeries had just been removed. I was about to spend 4 months in a wheelchair and three more using a walker. My surgeon asked me to move the ankle in a specific way. I couldn’t. Then he asked me to do the same move with my good ankle. He gave me instructions for rehabbing the broken one to move like the well one and then said, “You can do this.”

I believed him and at home I did everything he’d asked. Today we’re all amazed at my recovery.

Our niece, Grace, was visiting and although I don’t remember exactly what the situation was, Jon hesitated while doing something. She said with great confidence in him, “You can do it Uncle – you’re a big boy!” Now when life gets hard, we remember Grace’s words to him and believe them.

When someone tells me I can do it, there is an infusion of power. My enemies, Doubt and Fear, have to flee when I believe I can do what I’ve been given to do. Because the One who gave me this life and these things to do, will more than see me through.

I don’t need more coffee (although I will have some anyway because I enjoy it), or a power drink, or even a power nap (although they’ve been known to do wonders for my attitude!) to move ahead. Faith in God and a simple, authentic “You can do it!” from someone I love and trust is strong medicine to my sometimes stalled heart.

Who can you give a “You can do it!” to today?

Until Next Time,

Joy

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