I’m terrified of expressway driving. It’s not that I’m incapable, it’s just that I know I make stupid mistakes. Multiply that by all the other cars on the road and the chance of trouble is overwhelming.
So it was with trepidation that I set out to take Jenna to Weiss Memorial Hospital, on the north shore of Chicago. Traffic doesn’t worry my daughter. She consistently “talked me down” as we traveled, introducing me to Google Maps. And I survived that first trip.
But that “adventure” became an almost daily occurrence after her surgery. And the fears came back.
Before I even left the house, all the horrible possibilities flooded my mind. What if I got in an accident, got off at the wrong exit, got lost? What if I got into a traffic jam and desperately needed a bathroom? (Don’t laugh. You know what I mean.)
In the past I have often wimped out in fear. But now, Jenna needed me; I needed my eyes on her. I had to go. So, finally, I turned to God.
But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 Living Bible
“When I am afraid.” God understands my fear. There is hope for me.
There is also my mission: Your calling is to fulfill the royal law of love as given to us in this Scripture: “You must love and value your neighbor as you love and value yourself!” For keeping this law is the noble way to live. James 2:8 The Passion Translation
If Jesus wants this disciple to fulfill the Royal Law of Love, surely He will give her what she needs to do it. I got in the car and drove.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
I can’t do it by myself, so He gives me a calm, well-balanced mind, discipline and self-control. And with that gift, I can do it.
And looking back over the last two weeks, I see that I did do it! But not alone. Never alone.
