Fear: 2 May 2010

Yesterday morning as I gazed out the window toward the little white birdhouse watching and waiting for the Eastern bluebirds to appear with more food for their three little ones, I was shocked to see a tree swallow perched on the birdhouse. And then, to my horror, the swallow went inside! Fearing the worst, I grabbed a sweater, slipped on my sandals and rushed out to that little birdhouse. The nest was empty! But...there were no signs of trouble; no signs that anything bad had happened to those three little precious ones; no mess of feathers either inside the nest or on the ground. Then it occurred to me that I had not seen the adult bluebirds for a day and a feeling of relief welled up inside as I realized those little ones must have gotten big enough to learn to fly and they all had left for the woods.

Fear - being afraid - is a terrible feeling. Fear can paralyze us or...it can push us into action (albeit sometimes unwise actions). In many ways, President Roosevelt was right when he proclaimed, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". But we also have Sacred Words of comfort and assurance. The phrases: "Do not be afraid" or "Fear not" (and other similar variations) are likely among the most abundant phrases in the entire bible - both Old and New Testaments!

In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (43:1-4), we are asked to "Fear not" for God has called us by name and we belong to God, who will be with us, walking with us every step of the way through the hard trials in our life. What a blessing in gift we have been blessed with in our Loving Creator who calls us precious, glorious and who loves us so much; so deeply.

Peace on the Journey