Drawing Nearer

All week I have spent time bolstering my courage.  Knowing that there are times in life when we simply have to put our own fears, comfort and desires aside and step up and do what is really important.  Something like that is happening this week.  Something that I desperately want to do and at the same time absolutely am not sure that I CAN do.  So....I decided.  Early in the week.  I sat myself down and gave myself a talking to.  "This is an event that you would never miss.  Not in a million years.  There are going to be people there who will make you uncomfortable.  But, only if you let them.  You have a choice about how you feel when you are there.  You get to decide what is important to you and what is not.  You get to choose what to listen to.  You are free to speak. Free to enjoy.  Free to live.  You have no obligation to explain.  Or apologize.  Or try to fit in.  You can simply be yourself.  You are strong.  You are able.  You live, move and have your being in One who is greater than you.  He will lift up your head.  Be your strength and your encourager.  Go.  Have fun.  Live in abundant joy.  It is His gift.  And nobody else gets to take it away."
And, amazingly, I kinda' listened.  Though my heart still races a bit.  And my mind wanders to the what ifs if I allow it to.  I know that I can do it.  More importantly, I WILL do it.  And that makes me feel pretty accomplished.  I am healing.  A little at a time....but healing definitely.
grace to you.