Fear Not!

We interrupt this stream of 'journal entries' to bring you the

PHRASE OF THE YEAR!

(Crowd goes wild!)

Each year I have picked a word or phrase to guide me along the lines I'd like to go for a while.  I post the phrase one or two places I'm sure to see everyday.  I can then do a mental check of how I'm doing.  I admit, a few times this year I have turned the 'scatter sunshine' reminder around to face the wall, but it usually does the trick anyway and back it comes. 

Near the end of last year, which already feels like another lifetime and not the few weeks it really is, I began to think of what my phrase would be this year.  In my reading and pondering of the Christmas story in Luke 2 I was struck by verse 10:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

The good tidings were "to all people" but so was there directive to "Fear not".  I began to form an idea, and eventually this came...

Fear Not

“Fear Not!”  the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on that night,

When Jesus came in earthly form to set all things aright.

Though the angels spoke to just a few, their words were meant for all,

For Christ has come to live and die, to save us from the fall.

“Fear Not!” are words to live by, not to reflect on once a year.

For we are to live in happiness, not sorrow, sadness, and fear.

“Fear Not!” to love and serve, to meet another’s needs,

“Fear Not!” to pray and read and faithfully plant good seeds.

“Fear Not!” to follow the promptings that are sure to come,

To the whisperings of the spirit, never fail to succumb.

Then you’ll be found where you need to be, doing what you need to do,

Fear will be replaced with peace, forming a more sure and confident you.

The plan for the shepherds was easy enough: Follow the bright shining star.

The same is true for me and you, no matter where we are.

Just follow the angel’s declaration to seek out the sweet Christ child.

“Fear Not!” to follow He who is love, holy, meek, and mild.

 So my phrase for the year, obviously...

FEAR NOT!

I want to serve with out worry.

I want to teach without trepidation.

I want to increase my talents and not wonder

what people will think.

I want to be confident and humble. 

I want to fear not.

 *For more scriptures see lds.org.