Swimming Lessons

I want to tell you a story about something that happened to me at work on Monday that completely broke me down.

On Monday afternoon, there was a girl who came in for a private swim lesson named Lauren.  I noticed her because she had an odd way of leaning her head to one side or the other when she was talking, and she was constantly running her hands together.  She is blind.  As I sat there thinking about it, it struck me that her decision to learn how to swim was incredibly brave.  Next time you're in a pool, close your eyes and swim around.  Now imagine that you have no idea what a pool looks like.  Or water.  Or anything.  And to strike out into that unknown is incredibly courageous.  She was loving it.  Whenever she did something, she would lean her head to the side, listening for the approval and instruction of her teacher, Miss Colleen.  Miss Colleen encouraged me to clap whenever she did something, so I did it.  The joy that Lauren took from me simply clapping was astonishing.  She delighted in doing something that created joy for someone else.  After she was done with her lesson, her teacher led her over to my guard stand, and Lauren asked me if she could be the lifeguard for a little bit.  I tried to help her into the seat, but she wouldn't let me and wanted to climb up on her own, which she did.  She sat there with her eyes closed, the biggest smile on her face, feeling the chair and the guard tube I handed her and asking what things were.  As I told her, she got more and more excited, and then she told me the most amazing thing.  She said, "I can see the people swimming.  I'm a lifeguard."  She climbed out of the seat and was led back to her mom, laughing and talking about the whole experience.

I desperately want to be like little Lauren in my relationship with God.  There is so much about my God that I cannot understand, so much about my life that I don't fathom, and all too often I'm content to just sit back and let life happen around me.

• I must get in the water with God, even though I may not be able to see where I am going, or even what is happening around me.
• I must learn to trust Him to take care of me in those situations.
• I must delight in giving joy to others.
• I must learn to experience God in as many ways as I can, learn to hear His voice and listen to what He tells me.
• I must believe the impossible is possible with God.

Matthew 14:22-33 is the story of Jesus walking on the water.  The disciples see someone doing the impossible, walking on the water, and they become afraid.  But then Jesus opens His mouth, and tells them what He tells me over and over; "Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid."  May I learn to trust Him in whatever He asks me to do.