Fierce and Fearless

I've always wanted to write a book.  I've loved reading since I was a young child and I've loved to write my own stories from a very young age as well.  It is a dream of mine to write a complete book someday, but the topic has not been given to me yet.  I would love to write as eloquently and beautifully as some of my fellow writing friends, but I know I have a ways to go in expressing myself in written form.

I've taken a break from my blog for a while, as you can tell.  I would love to tell you the reason is because I've been too busy, or that it hasn't been important to me. Well, actually I have been very busy, but this blogging task that I know I've been called to do, is very important.  The real reason that I've taken a break is because of fear.  I am afraid that people will critique my writing style and think that I'm not a good writer.  What if my grammar hasn't been perfect? I have also shared very private feelings and experiences and I became afraid of what my friends and family thought about it.  What if I offended someone who was directly involved somehow?  Mostly, I have been afraid of how I have come across.  I do not want to appear as though I think I am an expert.  In fact, I have so many weaknesses and most of the topics that I write about have been placed on my heart because they are things that I personally need to work on- just as much as anyone else. 

This causes me to think about the power of fear.  Fear- to a certain extent- can be healthy.  If we don't fear consequences, for instance, we will repeatedly make dangerous mistakes.  However, fear can also can be life altering and distracting from what our lives are really meant to be.  For instance, if I would have let the fear of raising a baby by myself control me after my daughter was born, I quite possibly might not have decided to continue going to college and complete my degree, despite the odds. If I would have let my fear of running a 26.2 mile long race control me, I would have never ran such a (crazy) distance and I would never known the strong feeling of accomplishment after I completed my first marathon. 

I'm thankful for this particular life lesson.  I can't let my fear control the mission that has been set for me.  I am responsible before the Lord in the end for what I have done with my life, not anyone else.  Regardless of what some people may think, there is at least one person that needs to hear what I have to share.  That is enough for me to know to press on.