Pulling into the drop off line this morning at kindergarten.

Feels like pulling into the pits at the Indy 500.

Bumper to bumper. Fast. Furiously paced. Get ’em in and get ’em out type of frantic madness.

Teachers directing traffic with waving arms.

And the voice of the tallest kindergartener (TK) in the back seat says:

“Daddy? I’m scared.”

ME – “I get scared sometimes too buddy.”

TK – “What are you scared of dad?”

ME – “People not liking me. Failing at my job. Lots of other things too.”

TK – “Yeah – but your job only has like 4 people in it. The sidewalk has about a billion kids on it and I don’t know any of them.”

We both laugh. Kinda nervously.

So I suggest, that instead of walking slowing into the building with his head down, he runs to find someone he does know in the crowd of bustling kids.

TK – “That’s a good idea dad.”

And then a miracle happens – He actually does it! Listens to me! Follows my direction!

PROOF THAT THERE IS A GOD. SERIOUSLY.

The Traffic Teacher gives me an airport-security-type-stern-look that says “Pull away from the curb sir. You’re holding up the line and the vitally important kindergarten start time…”

I pull away from the curb and get a glimpse of TK running and finding a kid that he knows.

He glances back with a smile.

And all is right in this little world of ours.

Being scared does weird things to us.

We shuffle our feet in fear, we focus on the cracks in the sidewalk instead of what’s up ahead and the potential that lies therein.

We isolate ourselves in the throngs of people around us – people who are fun, care about us deeply and want to share life with us.

All because we let fear overwhelm us.

May we run today! May we face the fear with eyes lifted high and our focus on the One who casts out fear in perfect love.

May fear never dictate our lives and keep our heads hung low.

Run! Eyes UP TK! There is a whole world full of joy and experiences ahead of you.

Sure – there will be bumps on that sidewalk. But you need to know that you will never have to go at it alone.

KE