Monday, November 25, 2013

Fearless Mom



I enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with defying something that someone thinks is too dangerous. Even as a young girl, growing up in Florida, I was fearless. I remember climbing the tallest trees, playing with my friends in the underground rain gutters, and catching snakes - even the poisonous ones. I heard my Mom shout many times that I almost gave her a heart attack.  As I grew into adulthood, I ventured into rock climbing, repelling, trapeze classes, wake boarding, surfing, white water rafting, and downhill skiing.

Tallest Water Slide
I recently read that the tallest water slide is being built in Kansas City. When I saw the slide, my heart started pounding hard and fast as it does whenever I try something new. I imagined the thrill of falling 17 stories (taller than the Statute of Liberty) straight down halting in a pool of water. Even as a new mother, in my forties, I still want to experience the rush so I just added this ride to my bucket list.

I would venture to say that motherhood offers me the same heart pounding feeling. In the almost six months of being a new mom, I have felt fear, worry, panic and far bigger adrenaline rushes than any water slide could ever provide. I recall the one time that we didn't strap Alexa into her bouncy chair; she slid right on to the hard wood floor. In less than a second I was at her aid checking every inch of her for a scrape, a bump or bruise; thank goodness she was fine.

Rhett
Just yesterday, we took Alexa to the big indoor wave pool for her cousin's 4th birthday. I watched as the birthday boy, Rhett dared his friends to jump into the deep end of the pool. This young boy pushed my panic button several times when he climbed up a ladder, jumped off the counter-top and attempted to flip on the bed. Even though he’s not my child, I held my breath, gasped at every attempt and even screamed the very words my mom told me, you almost gave me a heart attack!

Alexa is still very young, yet I often find myself worrying about her health and safety.  I don’t want to be that mother who hovers like a helicopter over my child in fear. God commands us to “fear not” to be strong and courageous in all areas of life, including motherhood. Living without fear is easier said than done.

Mastered Sitting

“Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. To be free of fear I have to eliminate the habits of fear-based thinking and rely on God’s Word.
 
I know that there will always be those momentary surges of adrenaline when Alexa scares me with her attempts at new and daring feats. If she's anything like me, I'm in trouble. It’s natural for mothers to worry however I want to be a “fearless” Mom. I’ve learned that the only way for me to stop fear from creeping in is to pray, read the scriptures and cast my fears, doubts, and worries to Him.  

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