FACE OUR FEARS
The coffee shop was like a morgue… I glanced around to see if there was a librarian shushing everyone into submission. People were trying to be respectful I guess, or making sure their conversations weren’t made public. There were a lot of people who were alone, working on their computers and the others were leaning across the microscopic tables to whisper private words.
The coffee shop was eerily somber, an uncomfortable silence… until the guy with tattoos and shaved head waltzed in and bought a banana… He had an easy confident aura as he paid for his coffee and banana then tossed the banana into the air catching it easily as he strolled over to wait in line for his coffee drink.
As he stepped up to the side of the lady waiting in line in front of him he didn’t look at her. She was visibly uncomfortable with the big man’s presence so close to her. The lady kind of looked the other way… almost as if to pretend the big man with the shaved head and tattoos wasn’t standing sixteen inches away from her.
There are times in life that we do the same thing; we ignore reality… It’s done with small things and bigger things alike. I marvel when I see people pretend not to see the beggar on the street corner or when they pass them on the way in or out of a store. They look the other way, sometimes whistle, they have the act down pat. That’s the easiest thing to do isn’t it? Pretend it’s not there.
It’s the same with bigger issues in our lives as well, way too often. When the coming imminent changes in the workplace read like the big “E” on the eye chart and we look the other way as if it were the beggar on the corner. The potential issues and dangers our children are facing or going through and we choose to think of them as innocent toddlers, even when the issues are potentially life altering.
We even play the pretend game with ourselves regarding our spouse. We ignore the signs like we ignore the sign the beggar flashes in our face. I’ve rarely ever seen the “everything will work itself out,” adage come true. Most things in this life require action on our parts and the action will almost always be difficult. It’s always the hardest thing to do, but always the most beneficial.
Our quiet lives will be interrupted and it will be uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as ignoring our issues when they catch up with us.
The lady turned quickly back to face her issue; the guy with the shaved head and tattoos, holding a banana. The big guy held the banana up to his ear and said, “Hello?” – “It’s for you”! as he held the banana open palm toward the lady. She grinned and answered, “Tell em’ I’m not here right now!”
The shiny-headed man smiled. He got the message loud and clear. “Have a good day”! he said as he grabbed his plain coffee and walked out. The lady took a deeper than average breath and glanced at him as he left.
I smiled as I watched from the table by the door.
Chalk one up for her…
And us the next time we face our fears.
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 2:55 am
As you know it isn’t always easy to face our fears, but I love the attitude of that man. He “knew” her fear and did his best to help her deal with it. We need to be that way for others. And we need a sense of humor to deal with our own.
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 5:31 pm
Nice call, Bill. A sense of humor goes a long ways!
Amy Nabors
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 6:52 am
I’m one who prefers to run away from the fears. Eventually, that doesn’t work, though does it and as we grow we find the wisdom in facing them. What I’ve realized is that God is there to face them for me.
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 5:32 pm
I’m with you, Amy. The older I get the more I realize that He is always there, I just need to trust and lean on him. Thanks, Amy.
tcavey
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 8:07 am
I pictured my husband as I read this. He looks similar- though he isn’t extremely tall or big, but intimidating to many. Which is crazy because he’s the kindest man I know.
As I read through the blogs I follow, I am catching a theme from God: Don’t keep my head in the sand. Look up and see what’s in front of me. God has given me all the info I need. Now I need to ACT!
If only I knew what I was supposed to ACT upon?
Guess I’m still not seeing the big E in front of me. Hmmm…
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
You’re too funny, TC! I’d say you act on your calling far more than most people I know. I appreciate the fact that you don’t shy away from sharing your heart for our country. Thanks, for the laugh!
Voni Harris
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 5:48 pm
My husband would point out the many bankruptcy clients he had who simply ignored their bills until collectors were calling, rather than call the creditor and explain their situation. Some creditors are just mean about things, but most would much rather work with you than have you bankrupt what you owe them.
I love how the gentleman in the situation used humor to defuse the situation,
and she used it right back.
Sweet. And funny.
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
That’s a perfect example, Voni. People ignoring the reality of life “wishing” for the best. Those type of wishes just don’t seem to come true no matter how hard we wish. Thanks, Voni.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 6:41 pm
We had some friends when they would get over their head in debt – – would book a cruise and enjoy the fun and food provided there. I suppose it was a stress reliever for a short time, but then back to reality. we have someone in our family who is doing a similar thing. Sad to see it happen, and they seem to be happily going their way. We cringe when they soon may be crying help!
As for me, I have no fear like the t-shirts that tell it like it is.
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 9:24 pm
Well said, my friend. We have no fear of the world, but then again we don’t take the world’s treasures for more than they are; a simple and temporary luxury. Those don’t last… the things of our Father last beyond forever… Thanks, Hazel.
Betty Draper
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 8:27 pm
Fears, faced a few in my years, my last one was getting older, not dying, just getting older. I battled being insecure for about a year after several of my friend husbands died. These friend husband left them pretty well off. We own
nothing, do not have a huge savings set aside for retirement. Can’t say for sure when the fear lifted but it was gone one day just like my fear of flying was. I remember speaking about this to a couple close friends who I know prayed for me. I think most thing we fear will go away if we face them and continue to give them to the Lord over and over. It’s not a one time thing…bam…it’s gone. Fear is a natureal feeling and we still live in the natureal whelm. As much as I would like to say all fear has left me, cannot do…looking forward to that aspect of heaven though.
The man and the girl both faced their fears…encouraging post brother.
Floyd
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 9:29 pm
The great thing about the wisdom of our Father, Betty, is to know and trust His word… I tell you from the depths of my soul; not a soul I know has more or will ever have more than you, my sister. And that brings me great joy, beyond this physical realm. I’m content to be second or far less to you in the light of our Father’s blessings. You have so much… it gives me great comfort to have the crumbs from your blessings. I can’t mean it more when I say; God bless you beyond our comprehension… and then I realize, He already has…
Dan Black
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 @ 10:13 pm
I still have some fears I need to face if I want to move toward my purpose and dreams. I have found the things I fear are usually not as bad as I thought they were.
Floyd
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 6:34 pm
I’m with you completely, Dan. In the end we fear things that don’t deserve the respect we give them. There is no failure, only lessons on our journey through life.
Jay Cookingham
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 7:26 am
This post had a lot of APPEAL for me…nicely done bro’!
Floyd
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 6:35 pm
Thanks, Jay. I hope it was timely with all the decisions you and your family are going through right now.
Maureen Jepchumba
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 8:45 am
I love this post. “There are times in life that we do the same thing; we ignore reality… It’s done with small things and bigger things alike.” Comes at a cost doesn’t it. I borrowed these words in a recent post I’ve written. Hope you don’t mind 🙂
We ignore reality way too often. Doesn’t change a thing. It may even put us into more grave circumstances. Well I embarked on a journey to face my fears and the benefits I’ve accrued can not be quantified. The risks are many, the journey doesn’t get any easier -you find more fears along the way but yes we have to act. Sooner rather than later. God does give us the strength we need. Thanks for the story Floyd.
Floyd
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Thanks, Maureen. I read your post earlier and was pleasantly surprised to find that quote. I’m honored and humbled. If my words did anything close to what your’s did for me, I’m beyond blessed!
Maureen Jepchumba
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
Floyd, I am blessed as well. Your words today struck a cord with me. Glad to hear you were pleasantly surprised – you are welcome.
Floyd
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
What a blessing we have in Him!
Ngina Otiende
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 9:19 am
Ha that’s some funny guy. I don’t know if I’d have reacted differently from the lady :)! Ok maybe I’d have done worse 🙂 Great life lesson there.
Floyd
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 6:38 pm
I’ll bet you would have answered the banana and left him speechless! Thanks, Ngina.
Lisa notes
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 10:54 am
You know I still struggle with fears and worries so this post is for me.
Your story reminds me of this:
One of our teammates in El Salvador this year was a 6’4″, bald guy, covered in tattoos. I wasn’t sure how the small, shy, Salvadorian kids would relate to him. But he got our face-painting team to paint a big eye on the back of his head one day, a tree on another day, and it made everybody smile. Ended up all the people wanted their pictures made with him, child AND adult. It was fun.
Floyd
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 6:40 pm
That’s a great story, Lisa. We spend so much energy fearing things that are really just a waste of precious mental time. I’m guilty of it as well, just different things… The flesh is indeed weak. Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
Audra Krell
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 3:22 pm
I love how God speaks to you in the every day of life. This was hilarious at the end!
All anyone wants is to be seen, which translates to being known. We would do well to remember that the next time we cast our eyes on the wrong thing. Even the happy banana guy needs to know people see him.
Floyd
Friday, October 26, 2012 @ 4:05 pm
Thanks, Audra. You never know what you might find while visiting a Starbucks! We all have needs and insecurities, it’s part of our nature… The true fulfillment is on the inside… we just have to keep reminding ourselves of that fact.
AN UNFINISHED HOUSE – COUNT THE COST – Raising Esthers
Friday, July 14, 2017 @ 4:59 am
[…] love how Floyd says it here, “There are times in life that we do the same thing; we ignore reality… It’s done with small […]