Nothing to fear

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Prayer covers the whole of man’s life. There is no thought, feeling,

yearning, or desire, however low, trifling, or vulgar we may deem it,

which, if it affects our real interest or happiness, we may not lay

before God and be sure of sympathy. His nature is such that our often

coming does not tire him. The whole burden of the whole life of every

man may be rolled on to God and not weary him, though it has wearied

the man.”

-- HENRY WARD BEECHER

I enjoyed watching several little brown rabbits pop in and out of

the bushes on a dirt path during a recent walk.

I turned a corner and saw a golden retriever happily sauntering

along next to a woman pushing an empty stroller. They followed a boy

who appeared to be about three years old.

The boy bounced up and down as much as he walked forward, and

walked in anything but a straight line. He wore a blue baseball cap,

a red T-shirt, blue jeans and red tennis shoes.

Suddenly a rabbit came out of the bushes and startled the little

boy. The rabbit hopped back to the bushes, and the boy ran and

grabbed his mother’s leg.

“Mommy, mommy, I’m scared; let’s go home now,” The boy said with

clear fear in his voice.

The mother stopped walking, bent down, hugged the boy and gave him

a kiss.

“Honey, I’m here with you,” she said with a reassuring voice.

“You’re safe. It was a little rabbit that couldn’t hurt you. Besides,

we have more to walk to get home. Would you like to get into the

stroller?”

The boy thought briefly.

“OK, maybe just for a little,” he replied.

The mother helped him into the stroller, and the cute threesome

continued on their way. I heard the little boy ask his mother where

the bunny’s mommy was.

As I continued my walk, I thought about the brief interaction. The

boy ran to his mother when he was afraid, and his mother didn’t make

fun of him. She didn’t leave him alone. She listened to him, loved

him and reassured him.

I looked back a few minutes later and the boy was already back out

of the stroller, walking quite confidently while patting his dog.

I told a friend about what I’d seen as we talked about God being

like a loving parent, only better because he is perfect. My friend

explained that she didn’t have a problem telling God she was afraid,

but that recently she’d been angry and was worried that she had

gotten so mad at God.

“You don’t understand,” she explained. “I cried and yelled and

shook my fists in the air at God.”

I reminded her of the boy and his mother.

“If the boy had been angry at his mom about something, do you

think she would have loved him less?”

My friend didn’t hesitate and answered, “Of course not.”

“Well, that’s one of the many wonderful things about God,” I

replied. “He created our emotions, after all, and he wants to know

what we feel. Sometimes feelings can well up like brewing storms, and

praying and saying to God what we feel takes some of the pressure out

of the storm.

“It is also reassuring to know that we don’t have to go through

whatever we are feeling alone. We’re God’s children, so we can always

choose to grab on to God.”

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.