Fear And My Father's Pockets

When I was a little girl, I had an awful fear of heights. It was ridiculous of course because all the best things in life happened above ground! Climbing trees, flying, jumping on a trampoline, roller coasters, my best friends second story balcony.....all of these things happened ABOVE my comfort zone. But the worst one was, my Dad's favorite fishing hole. I'm sure you are wondering how anything involving water could be up. Well, the only way to access his favorite fishing hole was to walk across this large metal water pipe that crossed over the water to a cement platform that stood in the middle of this little reservoir. He and my little brother would take off across this thing like it was a sidewalk and never miss a step. Me on the other hand, I would get to the edge and would freeze. I could not make myself put one foot on that thing for fear of falling off. I would tear up, my dad would coax, I would beg and he would coax and finally, I would cry and he would help. He hooked my hands onto his back pockets and told me not to look down and not to stop. He went before me and never broke contact until we were safely to the platform. This is one of my best memories with my Dad. He could have gotten mad, he could have yelled at me to stop being a baby, he could have left me there crying...but he walked before me and led the way because he wanted me to experience what was on the other side of that fear. 

Today, I'm a real live grown up. I'm no longer afraid to walk across the top of water......or am I? I think as adults our fears from childhood evolve into more grown up words like worry, stress, anxiety. I have worried if I would be smart enough to be a nurse. I have worried if I would be a good mother. I have had anxiety about how I would pay my bills. I have stressed about how to put my kids through college. The list goes on and on and on. My Daddy isn't here to put my hands in his back pockets and walk me across the water. But my Heavenly Father is. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Just like my Dad here on earth, Jesus puts my hands in his back pockets and says don't look down and don't stop walking. He wants me to experience what is on the other side of that fear. 

Lord, even as an adult, I admit that there are still things that scare me. Thank you for reminding me that you will always be there to lead me through them. Amen

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand