One day I watched a mother goose lead her goslings to the water. They had been snoozing in the shade until I walked out of the woods and mommy began moving them to the safety of the pond. She flopped in first and calmly swam in wide circles as her babies followed her example. At last there was one on the bank who wasn’t sure if he could do it. He nervously fluttered in the reeds, looking down to the water and out to his mother and down at his feet. I stood behind him with words of encouragement.
Though baby was upset, mom just continued to paddle quietly, gathering the others. I knew she wouldn’t leave him, but he was full of doubt. His siblings had made it from here to there, but he couldn’t find the courage. Finally mom drew a little closer and he tossed himself into the water and vigorously joined the others. From my vantage point, all was was idyllic. The quiet pond, his cozy family, no dangers and all the time in the world. From his perspective, he was on a dangerous cliff far behind his departing family with a human looming large behind him. He took fear in everything he saw.
This acronym for FEAR has been useful to me: False Evidence Appearing Real. This time I was the one who could see the whole picture, but when I am that little one, it can be hard to see God or what God sees, so I hold fast to what I know about Him. God is always with me, hemming me in, holding time in His hand, loving me and scooping me up til I can fly.
Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
Meeting God at the Park 