The second morning reading I’m sharing is Fear. There may be ideas that we don’t agree with in the Morning Readings, and I ask that we all try to find the good we can keep.

I walked across the open field at winter’s break as the sun
danced on the last few drifts. I imagined my fears would melt one
by one as I learned to love myself. ~Laurel Lewis

Fear is as familiar as our image in a mirror. Although we have resolved many of the fears that bound us to old behavior, our original fears may have been replaced by new ones. Why are there so many things to be afraid of?  New friends, old relationships, careers, family history, tomorrow…

Acknowledging our fear is the first step to getting free of its control. Naming the fear puts us in charge. Remembering that we have a love in God who won’t abandon us, even in the midst of our deepest fear, can help us get through too.

But loving our small, scared selves will be the most nurturing of all. Mothering ourselves, in the way we may have longed for mothering in our youth, will carry us through the most difficult times.

Fears are part of living. They are neither bad nor good; instead they can teach us. They can help us learn to love more of ourselves.

I will welcome my fears today.
They are my blueprint for who I am.
God and I will comfort me with love.
~From A Woman’s Spirit.