I will fear no……”chair shadow”
I love being an Aunt. Because it’s kind of like being a parent, kind of like being a friend, kind of like being a mentor -- all rolled into one. Spending time with my nieces and nephews brings out a lot of new discoveries - like learning how to make play dough, learning that Mickey Mouse or Frozen themed crackers are a big hit, that Toy Story pictures on a diaper are much more welcome than the actual diaper, and that the “please, thank you, you’re welcome” exchange can actually be very confusing for a 2 year old!
While with one of my nephews, it was dark outside and we were getting ready for a sleep over with Aunt Esther. Aunt Esther needed to go upstairs for a few minutes. Upon my return downstairs, I found my nephew with all his stuffed animals, terrified as he pointed to the ‘chair shadow’. Yes, a shadow on the wall from a chair in the room. I gave him a hug, turned on the lights to reassure him that it wasn’t a monster and that it wasn’t going to get him. That everything was going to be okay.
Checking out an exciting discovery from the creek with my niece and nephew!
In the midst of this COVID era, I have to admit I fear a lot of “chair shadows”. A lot of potential scary scenarios building up in my head. These fears and ‘what ifs’ that lead to emotional exhaustion because I literally can’t do anything about them - other than ‘turning on the light’ to show that they’re not real.
If you’re anything like me, going through the daily process of fear - grief - and hopefully periods of joy, I encourage you to try “turning the lights on” your “chair shadows”.
For me, I’ve found a few ways that have helped:
Identifying my “chair shadows” - putting them down on paper so I can see them and acknowledge that though they’re very real in my mind, they’re actually not real. Whatever they are, not letting them build up into unmanageable “monsters”. “For the Lord is greater than the giants I face” (1 John 4:4).
Finding peace and joy in the daily beauties of life - like music, art, a conversation with a neighbor, friend or family member, being generous in some way, enjoying a good meal or smooth cup of coffee. Enjoying a song like this - these help put my fears in check:
As a Christian, I also pray that God would turn on the lights in my mind and heart to dispel the scary shadows as I claim that “God has not given me a spirit of timidity or fear but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7 ). And acknowledge that even if some of these fears do come true, that God is in control and I can rest, knowing that He loves me and has a perfect plan for my life - the ups and downs, the twists and turns included.
This song from Redeemer Presbyterian Church Downtown’s virtual service (Redeemer Downtown’s You Tube channel here) has been a recent helpful tool in “turning on the light” - especially the lines, “You bring light to the darkness”. Enjoy!