Fear is the door

… fear is the door in the heart that lets evil spirits in

          Buck Ghosthorse, Lakota (quoted by Matthew Fox)

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What is going on in that mind of yours?

What is going on in mine?

What goes on in the mind of the one who

must, must, must own a gun?

What goes on in the mind of the person who lusts after wealth?

What goes on in the mind of the abuser?

The user?

 

Our minds are like a house

With an open door

Letting in all kinds of guests

We do not want

(and perhaps some that we do)

 

Who is there, lounging in our minds

Spilling beer on the carpet

Their feet upon the coffee table

Sprawled on the couch

Smoking in the bathroom

 

Who have we let in?

And how did they get there?

 

Who is the bully in the hallway?

Pushing us around,

Causing us to cower in the corner?

 

Sadly our minds are filled with many things

Fear of the future

Regret about the post

Cares that freeze our soul

 

Doubt

Hate

Anger

 

They all crowd in until

We can barely breathe

Barely move

 

Until love and peace

Joy and hope

Are crowded into the corners

And silences

 

And fear is the door

That lets them in

 

Fear of others

Fear of the future

Fear of poverty

Fear of violence

Fear of being powerless

Fear of change

 

Perfect love we are told

Casts out fear

 

Perhaps it is time to do some housecleaning

To let the wind of love

(Come Holy Spirit)

Blow through the windows of our soul

 

Perhaps it is time for the “transforming of our minds” (Romans 12:2)

That comes when the fire of love

(Come Holy Spirit)

Burns brightly

 

This day, what do we (or at least I)

Need to usher out the door?

Whom do I need to escort out of my being

To what things to do I need to proclaim

“Don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out!”

 

And what do I need to welcome in?

So that I can see the beauty

Revealed by the early morning sun

Feel the fresh breeze

Participate in Joy

Have hope

Share love?