I’d like to make peace with all the dragons in my head
all those dark creatures
who came in the open door of childhood
and bedded down.

I’ve denied them, feared them and fought them
all the same, I’ve fed them rather well
They’ve grown fat on my hatred,
Multiplied like rabbits in the warm nest of my obsession
Overpopulated my psyche with their kids

I’m very kind to other people’s dragons,
it’s my own i’m not able to forgive.

I’m holding all my dragons by their tails
I’d like to meet them face to face
get to know them
where they came from…
why they came.

It’s hard to love my enemies, Lord
To make peace with intrusive creatures
who moved in first
then signed long-term leases in my head.

Please come in and help me face the dragons
(help me not to run if they breathe a little fire)
shake his hand
maybe even smile

You know, I’m not some princess in a palace, who thinks it’s rather nice to kiss a frog.

But if I learn to love that ugly dragon, could you change him to a prince before too long?

—From God is a Verb!
Marilee Zdenek and Marge Champion

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Make peace with your dragons. Join us for our Fear Not! Bible study that kick off October 1. Learn more.

Rev. Anne Russ is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), currently based in New York City. Doubting Believer provides tools and encouragement for the rollercoaster ride of your faith journey. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube. You can also follow on TikTok. Get emails to keep up with all that is happening.