On the ninth floor of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis there is a beautiful architectural feature called the Amber Box. One of the pieces of this space is a clear plexiglass portion of the floor. You can stand on it and see the ground nine stories down. It can be unnerving to step onto it.
As we sat there, enjoying the view, a family with two girls, about 5 and 9 years old, exited the elevator. The dad and younger daughter held hands and walked right across the windowed floor. The mom and older daughter followed, but the mom stopped short of the glass. She gasped, and the older daughter immediately stepped back, away from the edge. Together they gained composure and stepped across the glass.
The younger daughter was watching this moment and noticed the hesitation, the brief moment of fear in her mom’s face. From that moment on, she too was afraid of the glass in the floor.
That little girl had no fear until an important person to her showed that there was cause for fear.
I was struck by the thought that I do not want to be one that passes on fear. I want to exemplify and passes on strength, bravery, and peace to my own kids, and to the kids God has entrusted to me in this season.
I can’t afford to teach kids out of a place of fear or fatigue. When I can teach them from a solid foundation and hope in Jesus Christ, they will walk across glass without flinching. They will grow in faith and make a difference. They will pray and move mountains.
Who is watching you? The moves you make, the reactions you have, the emotions that bubble over. It could be a child, a sibling, a coworker.
Check the condition of your heart. And then lead without fear or hesitation.
Emily Keymon 