YOU INVITED THEM
I felt as if I were trapped in a scene from the movie "The Birds." Nearlyfifty sparrowsand robins in trees all around me appeared strangely menacing, waiting foranotherkernel of my popcorn to fall to the ground. Laughing nervously, I asked mydad, whowas visiting, "How did they all get here?"
How did they all get here? I wasn't just thinking of the birds. My mind wasalso playinghost to fears I was feeling about my life. At first, it was just one fear:that I'd fail at mynew job because I couldn't keep up with the pressures. Next it was the fearthat I'd be trapped at this job because I needed the money and security. Then I could seemyselfenslaved to work, without friends or family, and all alone in my old age. Myfears wereslowly paralyzing me, and now I was even fearful of being held captive by afewsparrows and robins.
My father's answer interrupted my thoughts. "How did they get here? Youinvited them!"
I had, of course. I'd tossed popcorn to the first little bird, and quicklythe others arrived.Just as with my fears, I had invited that first one, allowed it to stay,indulged it by letting it feed on my anxiety, and quickly the others arrived. I turned again to myfather andasked, "How do I get rid of them?"
"Just leave them." I knew right then that I was hosting the wrong guests.That night,instead of entertaining a fitful sleep, I renewed my invitation to my Lord: "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears"(Psalm 34:4). The next day at the office I made a sign for my desk to remindme.It read:
DO NOT FEED THE FEARS
No, I wouldn't. I knew with Whom to leave them now.
"FATHER, I know that your love casts out fear, and that with Your help I can confront them and walk away into confident leaving."
P.S.With fear in its "proper" place, I was able to take some meaningfulaction at work. I sought my boss' help and together, we restructured thedutiesand hired an assistant.
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to goyour way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speakyour words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you myspirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me,your Father, and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow inme,so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me."(Prayer from The Grail)
How did they all get here? I wasn't just thinking of the birds. My mind wasalso playinghost to fears I was feeling about my life. At first, it was just one fear:that I'd fail at mynew job because I couldn't keep up with the pressures. Next it was the fearthat I'd be trapped at this job because I needed the money and security. Then I could seemyselfenslaved to work, without friends or family, and all alone in my old age. Myfears wereslowly paralyzing me, and now I was even fearful of being held captive by afewsparrows and robins.
My father's answer interrupted my thoughts. "How did they get here? Youinvited them!"
I had, of course. I'd tossed popcorn to the first little bird, and quicklythe others arrived.Just as with my fears, I had invited that first one, allowed it to stay,indulged it by letting it feed on my anxiety, and quickly the others arrived. I turned again to myfather andasked, "How do I get rid of them?"
"Just leave them." I knew right then that I was hosting the wrong guests.That night,instead of entertaining a fitful sleep, I renewed my invitation to my Lord: "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears"(Psalm 34:4). The next day at the office I made a sign for my desk to remindme.It read:
DO NOT FEED THE FEARS
No, I wouldn't. I knew with Whom to leave them now.
"FATHER, I know that your love casts out fear, and that with Your help I can confront them and walk away into confident leaving."
P.S.With fear in its "proper" place, I was able to take some meaningfulaction at work. I sought my boss' help and together, we restructured thedutiesand hired an assistant.
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to goyour way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speakyour words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you myspirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me,your Father, and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow inme,so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me."(Prayer from The Grail)
posted by Carms | 9:03 AM
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