The past three days I have been learning about fear. A word that has been stricken with negative connotations and positive affirmations against it. As I journeyed through teachings on fear i began to see how it infects and affects us. As I was driving to work Wednesday morning. I happened to see one a mother and her two children at the bus stop. I work at a childcare center and this family happended to be one of the families that attends my center. So as i drove by i thought, i should give them a ride to the center since its literally up the street and walking would take 20-30 minutes versus a 5-10 minute drive. Plus i work there and they see me everyday. So i went to the light made a left u-turn, went to the other light and made a left u-turn and drove to the bus stop. So of course I smile, say hi and begin to ask if they would like a ride to the kindercare. Interestingly enough, the mother politely declined and i gracefully said okay and the children waved and yelled out "goodbye Ms.Jasmine!!" I was stunned a bit by her response and began to ponder why would God have me ask and why would she say.no?! Who wouldnt want to forfeit the bus stop and take a 5 minute ride up the street to get your children to school? That same morning the children arrived at school and i didnt mention it at all to the kids as we all went on our day. That afternoon as the kids and i were playing outside, the oldest child came over to me and said, "my mom doesnt know you thats why she didnt take the ride." And i said, "okay thats okay." And she said "she only takes rides from those she knows." I continue to assure her with a smile that its okay and i understand. So i began to really ponder on every facet of this experience.
In relation to fear:
It was interesting to me that I work with her children every day but she still felt uneasy about accepting a 5 minute ride up the street. Then i begin to see thats what we do sometimes with God and what he desires to give us. You see this lady doesnt know if God had a word for her through me. She doesnt know that the ministry im part of focuses on changing generations one FAMILY at a time and that every child at my church will go to college. Or that we were having bible bootcamp and the children were given dinner,taught a lesson and played many games. It made me contemplate the blessings we forfeit because of Fear. The things God desires to give us but we politefully decline. We often times dont consider what a person had to experience to get to a point where they can freely give. Or maybe God is teaching them how to respond to Him. What blessings, connections,opportunities...have i forfeited due to fear?