I got dressed to go to an important meeting. A soft winter’s rain fell as I walked to my car. What if it turns icy before I get to where I am going? I thought to myself as I slid into the driver’s seat. That worry set off a cascade of other worries that began with the gut-wrenching phrase, “What if?” I felt uneasy, so before I put the key in the ignition, I paused.
“God? You there?”
“Always,” He answered immediately.
“I’ve got a really big meeting today. I need for it to go well. Any suggestions?”
“Kick fear out of the front seat. Ask the other’s to sit up front with you.”
“The others?”
“Curiosity. Wonderment. Gratitude. Let them be your companions today. You can even let them drive. My Dear Child, you’ll never be rid of fear entirely. But you can insist that it sits in the back seat and never, ever, drives.”
“What do I do if it talks incessantly back there?” I asked.
“You can listen politely, say thank you for its opinion, then turn your attention to other things. Curiosity, wonderment, and gratitude will eventually drown out fear’s voice.
I started the engine and backed out of the driveway. Looking over my shoulder, I imagined fear sitting quietly in the back seat. I looked to my right and imagined curiosity, wonderment, and gratitude sitting next to me. I pondered which one would make the best driver for my meeting. I chose curiosity to lead the way, along with God’s good grace.
“Thanks for the advice, God,” I said. “Fear will probably come along, but I won’t let it drive.” The rain that had been steady all morning, disappeared. The sun peeked her sweet face between the clouds. And curiosity asked a hundred questions about the day ahead, all filled with excitement and possibility.
“Thank you, God!” I said out loud, as gratitude took the wheel for a moment. “Thank you, very much.”