What A Warrior Looks Like

Lean in close, so I can whisper something to you.

 No really… get over here.

You, my friend. Yes, you. You are a warrior.

I know what you’re thinking. The kids have worn you down. Work has you running ragged. Family struggles are intense and emotionally draining. How are you a Warrior?

But you rocked today.

Today you got out of bed, put your feet on the floor and said “Bring it!” Sometimes that’s the only requirement to reach full Warrior status.

Maybe later in the day you’ll go to work. You’ll provide for your family, and maybe even make a little extra money to give to someone in need. Look at you go, Warrior.

This afternoon, you might read a book to your little one before his nap. You are awesome, Warrior. (Don’t forget to do the voices.)

Tonight, you may curl up with your spouse and talk. Maybe you’ll have a difficult conversation. One you’ve been putting off for a while. Warrior, you are brave.

Before you doze off this evening, maybe you’ll pray. You’ll pray on your knees, face pressed against that cold floor you put your feet on this morning. You’ll pray for cancer to go away, or your spouse to love you, or your hurting child, or simply for the strength to wake up tomorrow. Keep praying, Warrior.

You may be wondering why I chose the word Warrior to describe you. You’re an ordinary person doing ordinary things. I get that, because I am ordinary too.  But I think sometimes being ordinary requires an enormous amount of strength.

There’s a beauty in the “every day,” but there’s also pain, doubt, struggle, and even boredom. And you fight those every minute simply by letting your strength, kindness, and joy overpower the junk. You get to be a Warrior simply by doing the best you can.

Is your best always good enough? Maybe not to you. But what about those who are watching? When they witness your sacrifice, your joy in times of pain, your faith, your smile through tears, they see a Warrior. They see someone who refuses to let the stuff of today turn them into a wreck. And even when you’re a disaster, they know you’re trying.

I find Warriors all around: Moms in Target trying to keep babies in the cart, elderly men helping their wives into cars, customer service reps kindly dealing with less-than-friendly customers, friends battling crippling depression.  All Warriors. All of them simply putting one foot in front of the other.

You may be wondering why I chose to call you a Warrior.  Honestly, I just love the word. It’s got a quiet dignity that goes along with the strength. Warriors don’t brag about their accomplishments, they let their actions speak for themselves.  You, Warrior, do the “every day” quietly, allowing your actions to reflect your heart; letting your love and kindness tell others who you are. Quiet Strength is beautiful and unpretentious. It tells its story without pontificating.

Warrior, I stand in awe. You do serious battle each and every moment of your waking hours. Sometimes it isn’t pretty, but it’s always perfectly you. Keep pressing on. We need you.