All our lives we’ve been waiting, 

yearning and longing for more— 

for miracles, some supernatural 

signs and markers in our times—  

to color them with a meaning 

and a peace that we are on purpose, known 

by something higher; we wait

 for some entity to speak to us

tell us what to do, when 

to walk, where

to go next, how to move, 

we seek significance to keep pace

(Are we moving in the right direction…

or is there one to begin with?)

Or is each step just a choice

between belief and fear?

Fear is a predator, keeping you close 

causing you to pause, stand still, it preys 

on your passivity, without you sensing how much 

it possesses you to politely accept whatever 

comes your way, you relinquish 

control: you give yourself

again and again, ache after ache 

it alters every fiber of your being, not just

belittling its subject— you— become it:

a captor and a fugitive of your own physicality— 

you stall—unable to find or even force your way—  

the unknown, any uncharted course, becomes unbearable.

Because fear is relentless, it won’t permit you 

to do anything but wrestle yourself into submission, 

again and again, seizing your spirit,

it claims victory over your complacent cowardice.

But belief is a behavior, enabling you 

to move, commencing courage, driving you 

to do, something, create character 

it withstands any combat, conditioning you

to trust in the unknown, continue, you choose 

release: you allow yourself 

again and again, joy after joy

it alters every fiber of your being, not just

your body and mind— you—become it:

a heart that believes— steering your steps,

serendipitously, stirring a steadfastness, 

delivering you from the immobility of anxiety.

Because belief is tender, it grants you

the grace to go about your days with confidence

again and again, quieting your spirit,

it gives you freedom over fear— that is the miracle.

-Kelsey Boone DeYoung

April 2, 2020