A Kiss from Rose | The Courage to Be Real

There is a kind of courage that doesn’t shout.

It doesn’t stand behind pulpits or wear superhero capes.

It’s the quiet kind —

the kind that shows up when you let people see the real you.

There is courage in being transparent.

Even when it feels like standing emotionally naked in front of people who only know your highlight reel.

There is courage in saying,

“I’m not okay,”

to your village — even if you’re the one they always expect to be okay.

There is courage in hoping you’ll find your tribe —

not the ones who just clap when you win,

but the ones who sit beside you when you’re unraveling.

There is courage in smiling through the disappointment others bring —

in not letting their failure to show up define your worth.

In choosing grace over grudge, peace over pettiness.

There is courage in not pretending.

In showing up as you are,

not who they need you to be.

And yes,

there is deep, holy, anointed courage

in walking a faith walk —

while still stained.

In saying, “I love God, and I still struggle.”

In saying, “I believe, but I’m bleeding.”

In admitting, “I’m not perfect, but I’m present.”

That is real.

That is raw.

That is beautiful obedience wrapped in human flaws.

And God honors that.

He meets you there —

in the mess, in the moment, in the middle.

Because you don’t have to be polished to be powerful.

You just have to be real.

📖 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

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“It takes courage to be honest. But being honest and having the courage to do so doesn’t mean it will be received well.” - Alston Shropshire