Courtney in "Escaping the Rat Race" (found at Women Living Well) quotes Francis Chan: "Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."
As we build our own bravehearts who have the courage to face fears such as the fear of failure, it is probably good to know that instilling some fears is healthy: fear to cross a busy road and fear to drive while texting are healthy fears.
Chan and Courtney uncover another fear we should help our children have.
The fear of living a busy life that misses what is really important.
Here are some of Courtney's words:
"So often we fear failure. We fear that our children won’t make the ball team or get good enough grades. We fear wrinkles, grey hairs or missing out on the latest and greatest new gadget for our kids. But do we ever fear being successful at things that – at the end of the day when we stand before God’s throne – don’t really matter at all?"
"Today I had big plans for our day – it was supposed to be a family day (daddy was off work) and my daughter got a belly ache right in the middle of the day and messed up all of our fun plans. I was on a mission to make a great day for the kids – but all she really needed was a mama who loved her and cared about her belly. My plans faded into the distance – and I was the one disappointed – cause this mama gets sucked into the rat race sometimes! What mattered to her was not the long list of plans I had but that her mommy would sit quietly on her bed rubbing her hair while she cried. And this forced pause in our day – reminded me of what really matters in life."
Remember Martha and Mary. Martha was so busy, serving, that Jesus told her: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Mary was sitting, listening to Jesus.
What really matters?
Let's help our children know what is important.
And, fear a life consumed by the trivial and busy.
The fear of living a busy life that misses what is really important.
Here are some of Courtney's words:
"So often we fear failure. We fear that our children won’t make the ball team or get good enough grades. We fear wrinkles, grey hairs or missing out on the latest and greatest new gadget for our kids. But do we ever fear being successful at things that – at the end of the day when we stand before God’s throne – don’t really matter at all?"
"Today I had big plans for our day – it was supposed to be a family day (daddy was off work) and my daughter got a belly ache right in the middle of the day and messed up all of our fun plans. I was on a mission to make a great day for the kids – but all she really needed was a mama who loved her and cared about her belly. My plans faded into the distance – and I was the one disappointed – cause this mama gets sucked into the rat race sometimes! What mattered to her was not the long list of plans I had but that her mommy would sit quietly on her bed rubbing her hair while she cried. And this forced pause in our day – reminded me of what really matters in life."
Remember Martha and Mary. Martha was so busy, serving, that Jesus told her: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Mary was sitting, listening to Jesus.
What really matters?
Let's help our children know what is important.
And, fear a life consumed by the trivial and busy.
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