My friend Cindy often creates a drawing in response to a word suggested each week on a website called Illustration Friday. The word for this week is “fearless.” Here is Cindy’s drawing and the words she wrote to accompany it on her blog Mostly Markers:

I was wondering what to draw for “fearless,” this week’s Illustration Friday word. Then the church service this morning reminded me of this Bible verse, one of my favorites. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Today is Mother’s Day, so the words connected for me with the thought of a mother’s love.

Much of the time I have to confess to being a fearful parent rather than a fearless one. But Cindy’s drawing and the quote above from 1John 4:18 (NRSV) remind me of my hunger for the “perfect love which casts out fear.” As a mother, perfect love and fearlessness seem like impossible challenges. My love for my children feels conditional and flawed; my mind and heart are full of worry and concern for their safety and their future. But with God’s help I get glimmers of perfect love and fearlessness. In tiny increments—maybe 10 seconds at a time—I surrender my self and my children to God’s love and into God’s care. In those few moments I am deliriously fearless and free.

Sybil MacBeth ©2010