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The Sermon Illustrator; A Database of Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching
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C.O.D. - Courage On Demand
In the summer of 1991, my husband and I were vacationing in Ireland. Being good American tourists, we naturally visited the Blarney Castle. And of course when you visit the Blarney Castle, you kiss the Blarney Stone. Well, to get to the Blarney Stone, you have to walk up several flights of narrow stairs. I have always had a fear of heights and am very claustrophobic, so I told my husband to go without me and let me know if he thought I could do it. When my husband got back, I asked him, "Well, what do you think? Do you think I can do it?" and before he could answer, two little old ladies came up to me and said, "Honey, if we can do it, you can do it!" So, I kissed the Blarney Stone! About a month after I returned from Ireland, I found out I had breast cancer. I needed radiation and chemotherapy. The doctor was obligated to tell me all the things that might happen to me as a result of the chemotherapy. He said I might lose my hair, I might become violently sick to my stomach, I might have severe diarrhea, I might run a high fever, my jaw might lock, and so on. Then he asked, "Are you ready to start?" Oh yeah! I really felt ready to start now! While my husband and I were sitting in the waiting room, waiting for my treatment, I became very anxious and scared. I turned to him and said, "Do you think I can do this?" Sitting across from us were two little old ladies who had just completed their chemo treatment! My husband took my hand and said, "Doll, this is going to be just like the Blarney Castle! If they can do it, you can do it!" And I did it! Do you know the really neat thing about courage? It shows up when you need it! --By Maureen Corral from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
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