Stepping out of our comfort zones is no doubt scary, but it is not dangerous.

Inviting a new person into your home can feel scary, but it is not dangerous.  You may worry more about what your home looks like, you may work a little harder on dinner, and you may hope that your conversation flows easily.  Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and the meat gets burned.  Maybe you are so worried about saying the wrong thing, that you say the wrong thing.  Fear creeps in and you wonder, “Why did I even take this step?”

About a month ago, a group of women gathered in my home and we shared a meal together.  One of the women said, “I’ve actually never been in the home of a white person before.” I felt shock and then grief. This is a tragedy. For me as well.

I think what is dangerous is staying in our comfort zones.  When we stay in our comfort zones we think that the outlook on this world looks pretty hopeless.  Why would it ever change?  I do not think it will, if we stay trapped in a cocoon.  The problem with a cocoon is that it is isolating and dark and only supposed to be for a period of time.  It may look safe from the outside, but it is difficult to see if there is life inside.

Even though it feels (is!) scary, let’s show our children what it looks like to be brave. There is a richness and a joy found here. The danger is if they are not given the opportunity.