Religion

Back in the days of my youth, I’d sit at the piano and pick out tunes from musicals I loved. It was my rebellion from the requisite scales and serious music demanded by my teacher.
Despite years of study, I never could achieve a degree of comfort or excellence with this musical instrument. At the same time, I yearned to be able to sing and play the songs I loved. So, I plunked myself down on the piano bench, oblivious to any possible audience and heedless of my own lack of talent.

The phone rang. Good news was announced. Our eldest granddaughter would be arriving for a weeklong visit with her grandparents, the old folks.
Long ago, we had established the definition of visiting versus vacationing. When a grandchild visits, it would be customary to do what the grandparents do. Vacationing with them is to do what you wish to do.

At a recent memorial service, the pastor depicted the ambivalent joy that emerged in his life because of his friendship with a parishioner who was, most assuredly, different.
It was not that she lacked physical ability or intellectual acumen. Her “difference” was she fearlessly spoke her mind when others might well have kept fearfully silent. She voiced her opinion in person, via email, by phone conversation, whenever and wherever she felt necessary.

I guess each of us, at one point or another in life, has had to make the crucial choice between fear and faith. We have had to opt for an abiding faith even if we are sometimes afraid.
We cannot serve two masters. We will either elect to abide in fear or to have an abiding faith.
The choice is not always clear nor comfortable. Fear is a powerful factor in our decision-making. I know I am often afraid. I am especially afraid of telling the truth when I know it will involve and evolve into communication that might well be confrontational.