The topic for this Thankful Thursday is courage. Who were the women of the Bible who needed courage? Debra led the Israelites into battle and Esther saved her nation. Mary surrendered to God’s will and gave birth to a savior. The same God these women of old called upon for courage is the same God I reach for in my everyday life. When I think of challenges in life, I think about the verse in Isaiah 65:24: Before they call, I will answer. I remember calling upon God when I needed courage to leave my family and friends and move out west. I remember calling upon God for courage when my husband’s father was diagnosed with cancer and came to live with us the last year of his life. God answered with courage when my husband lost his job and He answered when my husband faced surgery several times. This week I am thanking God again for my family. I never thought I would be a grandmother and God gave me that privilege. The past two weeks with Susanna has been a blessing. I’m thankful