I was as restless as a cat. I’d pack a few things then check my e-mails. I looked over the list of items to bring to the SoulStream partners’ annual retreat. Check. Check. What? A photograph of myself? Why hadn’t I noticed that before? Found one the wrong size; it would have to do. Pushed my nervousness aside. Checked my blog. Put my bag by the door. Ready, not ready.

The traffic was stop and go. I breathed in and out and arrived in plenty of time. Smiling faces welcomed me.

When everyone had gathered in the meeting room, we took turns introducing ourselves. After each introduction, we pinned the photo we brought to a board entitled SoulStream. Faces on the board and around the room reassured me: I belonged here.

Over wine and cheese, I caught up with people I met last year and met new friends. I enjoyed the evening but woke in the night feeling anxious. I was afraid of something but didn’t know what. Welcome it, I sensed God say. Listen to what it wants to tell you.

And with that, my fear curled up and went to sleep.

The next day I made this collage while my fear purred quietly on my lap.

I was drawn to images and words that reconnected me to who I was before I went to school, before I learned to recreate myself to match the approval of others. I chose a black and white picture of a little girl wearing swimming goggles. She had an apple on her head and stuck out her tongue. I could almost hear her giggles and sing-song, “Na, na, na, na, na.” Another picture had flowers and a butterfly and the word, Contents. One phrase I chose was If you only knew what was in. I followed it with The Real Story. And on the back, I glued the word BEGINS along with a picture of a native in traditional dress and a photo of blue, blue ocean.

I felt as peaceful as that ocean for the remainder of the weekend. But the nameless fear returned when I got home. It meowed in the night.

The next day I was meditating on Peter’s miraculous release from prison in Acts 12. I imagined myself as Peter. The angel whispered, “Let’s get out of here.” The chains fell off and I stepped over the sleeping guards and out of the fear that imprisoned me. I knew it now: the fear of rejection.

God is inviting me to begin a new adventure. I’m being led into a deeper, bluer freedom that I haven’t known since I was a child. Can you imagine the freedom of remaining who you are no matter what another face tells you? God asks me. That’s where we’re going.

Thank You that You lovingly accept us as we are
and invite us to rest in the intimacy of that Love.
– from the Noon Prayer of the SoulStream Community

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2014.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013, 2014  http://www.estherhizsa.wordpress.com.