Do Not Be Afraid

I am participating in an online Bible Study called Stressed-Less Living/Finding God's Peace inYour Chaotic World, by Tracie Miles. It is the first OBS that I have ever participated in, but something, or someone, called me to do it at this time in my life, and I am thankful. Our first week's Bible Verse is from Isaiah 41:10 and reads:
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
After reading this I knew I had made the right decision...for you see, it has been Fear that has been my biggest stressor..my biggest barrier..what has prevented me from reaching my full potential and from doing God's work in more ways than what I am doing now. I have learned over the years, that it is our thoughts that cause us to feel. We do not have control over the thoughts that come into our minds, sometimes at breakneck speed, and we have no control over the feelings we have in response to these thoughts. BUT what we do have control over is how we act on those feelings.
It is not fun, being afraid. And for some reason we often think we are all by ourselves with those feelings, but God gently nudges us and says: Here I Am...I will always be here...and you can trust me to be with you when you take the leap I have been waiting for you to take all these years.
In the first chapter Tracie refers to the movie We Bought a Zoo and Matt Damon's line: "Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage...just 20 secnds of embarassing bravery. And I promise you something great will come of it."
Wouldn't it be sad if that great thing that happens is missed...by fear...I am praying that God helps me take the leap. I will let you know where I land.

The Healing Blanket

Can you think back to a time when you purchased something that held more meaning than the purpose for which it was bought? It was in the early 1980's when I walked into JC Penneys with what I thought was a plan to buy a comforter set for our bed...one that matched...one that was brand new...one that would keep us warm in the winter and look nice on the bed. And one that cost more than I had ever spent on a comforter before.

Times were difficult, and any major purchases were scheduled around income tax time. This was also the time when the doctor bills were paid off and any car repairs done. So my venture into Penneys that day was over-shadowed with thoughts that maybe I should just turn around and go back home and pull out the old bedspread for one more year.

As I walked around the store, I spotted a section with clearance items. Neatly stacked and at the bottom of the pile was a pink floral comforter...the pillow shams were missing and it laid there all by itself...but pink? For those who know me well..this is not my favorite color by any means, but when I opened it up, looked for flaws, and held it next to my face, I decided it was the one for us...

Since that day there have been many comforters and quilts to take up that space on the bed, but the "pink blanket" still has a space on our closet shelf.

Over the past 30 years this comforter has provided more than just warmth on a winter night...it has been there for a young lady recuperating from wisdom teeth extractions, and another who came home to rest with a respiratory infection, and for a man who has recuperated from kidney stone treatment, hernia surgery and several orthopedic procedures. It has been the play mat for new grandbabies and it is the choice of the spoiled cat who takes up residency with us. And it is the first thing to come off the closet shelf when someone is just in need of some comfort...

It is getting thin and worn and has flaws, now...it has been part of a joking conversation about "who gets it in the will"...but it has been around for all the good times and all the times when there has been a need for extra comfort and healing...And it was just supposed to be a new comforter for our bed.

"I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you...

3 John 1:2