In the first chapter of her book: When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Pema Chodron begins with the following: “Embarking on the spiritual journey is like getting into a very small boat and setting out on the ocean to search for unknown lands.” A spiritual journey is an adventure! And while adventures are inspiring, they are also risky. We are drawn to the unknown and we fear it.  Yet fear can be a gift if we learn to move closer, become familiar and embrace it. Fear can be a place where courage emerges. As we move forward on our spiritual journey, staying in the present moment, embracing the unknown, walking the path, reaching into our pocket of faith and our pocket of hope, we may encounter the gift of fear and the gift of courage to overcome it. During this season of Lent, let us pray for the gift of fear and the gift of courage during our spiritual journey.