I remember growing up and my brother and I would play a game called FLINCH. If ever I did something or acted like I was going to hit him and he flinched, then I got to holler “flinch” real loud and hit him 10 times for every flinch made. And vise versa. Crazy game I know! There’s something about that flinch that is instinctive, yet unnecessary at times. As we’ve been talking about conquering fears and taking cold showers, I’m looking at things differently today.
I flinch A LOT!
Scenario ONE: I don’t like lizards of any kind. They look like dinosaurs! Creeeeeepy, so I avoid them or scream real loud (like a girl at that!). While at the Botanical Gardens the other day, my hubby spotted this creature. Yes, he was in a cage but still so creeeeepy and something I wanted to avoid. But I didn’t. I walked up with my camera and took this fabulous shot. He’s still creepy, but he didn’t spit in my eye as I looked straight into his cage.
Scenario TWO: Spiders FREAK ME OUT!!! Totally unnecessary I know, but still creeeeeeepy! As I walked to my car yesterday there was one on my drivers side mirror. I was screaming and shouting “GET OFF!” I didn’t even like the fact that there was a glass window between us — he had to go. So, I drove 80 miles an hour down the road and that little sucker blew away into the wind. I’m not sure which scared my daughter more the spider, my screaming, or my driving. But hey – I alleviated that fear.
Scenario THREE: The other day at church a women came and boldly asked me for a favor. I had known her for a few months. She had been on the streets, we had prayed for a job and she got one. We prayed for her a place to stay and God provided. Our relationship was strengthening and we were building a level of trust. Then she blurts out “I have collected quite a few things I need to take to my apartment, can you give me a ride because it’s too much to carry while walking?”
What? Flinch? Ouch!
See I had made it a rule not to give rides to others if I was by myself and not to venture out into that side of town by myself. Why? Flinch.Flinch. Flinch. Yes, maybe some areas and situations are unsafe but does that mean I need to claim them all unsafe.
As I flinched and squirmed, she continued to tell me how excited she was to be getting her life back. My heart knew I had to overcome the fear and take her. How can I build trust with people if I can’t go where they are and share in their journey? I let a few key people know where I was going and what I was doing. My friend and I set out with her bags in tow to an unknown destination, which she said was close by.
She guided me a few miles down the road to her apartment complex and I wasn’t sure what to think. As if she could read my thoughts, she said as we pulled in, “Oh Alene, I know this is bad and it looks scary but this is home for me. I have a home!”
I was so thankful I had conquered that flinch and went. I’ll never forget those precious words from her. What I thought scary and a dump – she was excited to call home. Forgive me, Lord!
What are you flinching?
What false boundaries have you set up that hold you back?
For me, it is anything that crawls :)
And I know how you feel about certain places that makes you flinch…
Mice and spiders. The wrong side of town has never freaked me out. I’m getting older now, so that may change. But, then again, we all gotta die of something. When we are weak, he is strong. ;)
I don’t flinch much at any kind of animal or insect. But sometimes people who look really different from my “usual” crowd make me flinch. I’m embarrassed to say that. Always working to overcome. So proud of you have taking this lady home! You are right. Not taking her would have set your relationship back quite a bit.
I can totally relate to flinching at spiders or snakes. Hey! I’m still a girl. But so glad you overcame your “flinch” of driving a dear friend who needed a leg up.
I was asked recently to participate in a skit for the women at Church. WAY out of my comfort zone, I flinched, then said yes. It helps us learn and grow and develop new talents. But those spiders and snakes will ALWAYS make me flinch.
Awe! And she knew you would flinch and think it was unfit, how sweet is that!
Oh, girl. Last week I shared on twitter/facebook that as I was trying to figure out how to get a spider off of my vaulted ceiling, it dropped and landed on me. I said, “I’m going to need a minute.”… I think I pretty much needed all day to stop my heart from palpitating.
so this I get!
And look at you. You didn’t cower, you conquered. Even with the spider, you had a presence of mind to take a picture :)
I’m still flinching at blogging with my heart open wide.
I’m still flinching at the fear of financial woes.
I’m still flinching at deciding if I’m going to homeschool or not…
thank you for making me think about my false boundaries, friend. I do have some excavating to do!