A friend asked me where I was taking my boys this weekend. Why nowhere of course. We’re kinda homebodies. Well bowling she suggested. No. We’ve never bowled. ok. Mini Golf? Nope. Never putted. Skating?

Then I realized “WE” hadn’t done those things because I’VE never done most of those things. Why?

Well for example. My friend Kay took me bowling. Would I bowl? Of course not. I think my words were “I’m not into public humiliation”.

But what I am is afraid of failure. I always have been although I do better these days.  But I need to challenge myself.

For fear of failing as a parent, I tried to protect my children from any and all potential pain. In doing so, they don’t deal well with failure or mistakes or people.

So my kids are (generally) Extremely cautious. Painfully shy. Perfectionists. Intensely antisocial. Self-critical.

I’ve wrapped them so tightly in a cocoon, I’m afraid I’ve crushed their wings.

But I’m encouraged by the bravery of my older kids to overcome this. My daughter fishes. My son lives in Washington.

But I feel like I could make all of our lives more productive by learning to take risks.  I recently discovered this quote.

If I let fear control, where is my faith?

Be blessed.