I was taught to be afraid –
of dying before I knew that I knew that I knew I was saved,
of missing opportunities to lead others to Christ,
of not being an example to all the nonbelievers,
of living outside of God’s perfect will,
of being myself.
I was taught to be afraid –
of walking in parking lots by myself at night,
of boys with bad intentions,
of talking to strangers,
of the homeless, the helpless, the desperate,
of people different than me.
I will teach my children –
awareness to see the needs surrounding them,
compassion for all people,
hope to share with the hopeless and the desperate,
love to heal the broken and those in pain,
confidence in their strength and their instincts,
I will not teach fear.