It’s no wonder I’m a bit stir crazy. The kids missed an entire week of school last week due to snow/ice, inclement weather and impassable streets. For the most part, I’ve been home bound, with four kids, a dog and a cat for about 10 days now. The only exceptions were when Peter wasn’t working and was therefore able “spring us from this joint.”

Seriously, I felt like I was in “The Shining” at one point.

I’m a Georgia girl who never learned how to drive in the snow and ice. I only have one recollection of any significant accumulation when I was little. If memory serves me correctly, it snowed 14 inches one winter (anyone else living in Augusta during the late 60’s or early 70’s can confirm or deny).

Despite the fact that I’ve lived in Virginia since January of 1987, driving in snow and ice still freaks me out a bit. OK, a lot! Really. My Lamaze breathing helps with the stress level, but not with the fear.

This morning as Peter was getting ready to go to work, he suggested that he take the mini van and leave me his jeep. (He’s from Canada. He’s been driving in this stuff his whole life, and rather enjoys it.) He suggested that I could take the kids to the top of the street to meet the bus.

Um, hello? Are you on crack?

“I’ll give you driving lessons. You can do it. Trust me.”

The mere thought of driving, even with 4WD, caused me to break into a panic. This is not hyperbole. My heart rate increased and I couldn’t breath. My Lamaze breathing wasn’t working.

But Peter was reassuring. “I’m a great driver (which he is) and I can teach you.”

After he shared a few additional encouragements about his trustworthiness, I hesitantly agreed, questioning my own sanity.  We went for a test drive – him first. The road was bad. I had thoughts of chickening out. I asked lots of “what if” questions and asked for demonstrations in sliding and sudden breaking. Finally, it was my turn.

I did it! (You can see some photos of our street on my Posterous feed here.)

And you know what? It wasn’t that difficult. I simply had to do it. I was afraid but he talked me through it. After he left for work, I took the older three to the top of the hill to meet the bus. An hour later, I took the youngest.

Now I’m thinking about fear. For the last 10 days (and countless snow days before) I’ve been stuck at home, afraid to venture out. I missed out on freedom. And I kept my kids snow bound as well.

In the broader sense, fear has held me back from accomplishing the next thing.

I’m getting better. Thanks to Peter, I’m tackling some of the most significant fears of my life. Driving in snow and ice is nothing compared to some of the other fears I’m facing these days.

Somewhere I heard that God sometimes does in the natural what He is about to do in the spiritual. And I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 which says God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind. I’m getting ready for the next thing.

How about you?
What are you afraid of? Who’s pushing you to conquer your fears? Are you stir crazy enough to face your fear?