If you are just catching up to the tale of Much-Afraid, don't hesitate to go a few steps back and read the blogs up until today about this young woman who wants a better life because she comes from a family with many fears and doesn't know how to live any way but with fear. She has met the Shepherd whom she senses can teach her about Love and Trust. He has given her a thorn of Love which was pierced into her heart and she is learning more and more about Love and the additional pain you come to know. She has also discovered that nature is filled with love, if you know where to look. The two are on their way to the High Places as Much-Afraid is determined to get better feet that will take away her weak, pitiful feet and give her new ones, along with a nature that does not fear, but trusts. But, Much-Afraid shows she is yet fearful by begging the Shepherd to take her himself to the top of the mountain, but he is just as determined that she goes with the two guides, he himself trained for this very job.
Fear had still made its way to her mind, for she said to the Shepherd, "Will you not take me all the way? When I am with you I am strong and I am sure no one else but you can get me up to the High Places!" Although he looked at her kindly, he answered, "Much-Afraid, I could do what you wish. I could carry you all the way myself. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds' feet, and become my companion and go where I must go. Please! If you climb to the heights this once with the companions I have chosen, I promise you that you will develop hinds' feet."
"Afterwards you will be able to go with me, 'leaping on the mountains,' and be able to make the ascent and the descent in the twinkling of an eye. But, if I carry you now, with only a tiny seed of Love in your heart, you will not be able to live in the Love Kingdom! You would have to stay outside on places not so high, and you would still be within reach of your enemies, the Fears! Some Fears can still visit the lower parts of the mountains. Now, the guides I have chosen are the best and strongest. And if you ever need me, even though you otherwise won't see me, I will come. You have my promise." And, He added, "You will have your new name! For when the flower of Love is ready to bloom in your heart, you will be loved in return and will receive a new name."
She saw the scenes around her of her peaceful cottage, the green valley, and the Shepherd's helpers going about their happy work with the flocks. It was a happy place, full of Love. She looked up into the good face of the Shepherd and said, thankfully, "I will trust you and do whatever you ask."\
And so, off they went and she soon saw the figures of two veiled women seated on one of the rocks at the side of the path. The two rose and came to meet them, the two bowing silently to the Shepherd. As she was being introduced, Much-Afraid, once again, fell into the old fear. Why did they hide their faces? Why were they so silent? So mysterious? Why give her no friendly greeting?
The Shepherd recognized her fear, and said, "They are not dumb. They speak a dialect of the mountains which you have not yet learned. But as you travel with them, little by little, you will learn to understand their words. They are good teachers." And so, the Shepherd taught her their names in her own language. She blanched and began to tremble when she heard their names. One was called Sorrow and the other, her twin, was called Suffering. She clung to the Shepherd for support, and the Shepherd began to see her fears might become the end of her. (End of today's story)
Have you ever known fear such as this? I suppose each one of us has known some kind of fear. Or else we had good teachers from our beginnings to tell us how to overcome our fears. I tend to choose to do that with which I am familiar, but growing older--(By that I mean getting old, really old!!) has taught me that in some things we do not fear for our lives, but fear for our lack of convenience. Losing our sense of direction, becoming very forgetful, not being able to keep our balance, and other things that we had known well when we were younger...these are the things we don't want to lose, and fear can play a part in this, too, if we are not careful.
But, trusting God is the only answer. Know the Good Shepherd and fear goes away. Those chosen to be His helpers can keep old ones like me, and younger ones with fears, from hiding in shame from the Shepherd. Why? Because fear causes shame. Look at Much-Afraid, there you will see how hard it is for her to trust, to trust the only one who really cares! Had the Shepherd asked the impossible for Much-Afraid? No. And doesn't she feel shame because she is afraid? You bet. More on her tomorrow.
Hope you are all doing better with FEAR than Much-Afraid. Praying for you!!
Jo INMN
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