New Candy Corn Flavors

I learned how to swim last night. Yep, last night. After years of fighting the water, Coach Bristow taught me how to "relax" and "revel in the glide".

But first, let us back up a bit.

I remember quite distinctly my first swim class at Dellinger Park. The lesson was going fine until we moved to the deep end. I remember half-drowning, panicking, and begging never to be forced into such a terrorizing exercise again. Well, I got my way; it was my last swim lesson. The memory is all the more acrid when I recall my age and size compared to the other kids.

Then there were those times in the ocean. Besides being stung by jellyfish consistently, at that time in my life I was oft-towed out by way of rip tide. I suppose I could have died several times had not God blessed me with a talented swimmer for a father. Apparently, I did not inherit Dad's natural abilities. He passed on some pretty large lungs and a durable heart, and those I've managed to harness for distance running. But not swimming...

Disconcerting history aside, my perceptions of swimming shifted last night. With serious instruction from a seasoned triathlete, I was able to swim multiple laps! All I needed to do was keep my head down, slow down and tighten my kick, pull my arms through the water until my fingers brushed the sides of my thighs, roll (for goodness sake, ROLL!), get my elbows high while out of the water, and RELAX. Then it was fun. I can hardly believe it, but I was having fun and moving fast while doing it. Still the whole relaxation part was the most unnatural of all...

"But I CAN'T relax!" I protested (in the beginning).

"You just have to force yourself to RELAX," came the stern response from Coach Bristow.

Would you know it? He was right. I found that the more I relaxed, the more I was able to glide. Biomechanics became amiable toward my efforts. Breathing became the central rhythm to which my limbs danced around. It was the closest thing to flying.

The whole experience makes me think about submission to the Lord's will. How often do I fight His sound instruction in favor of my own way? And how many times do I nearly drown, only to cry out for a rescue? And He, in humility, does rescue me from my rebellious methods.

He knows my inner parts. Evidence: He's always drawing pictures for me, and that's the most effective way to communicate to Skye Causey. Pictures, allegories, and analogies. That's why I love the Bible; it's full of those things. So, He showed me something last night...

Swimming 101 + Following Christ

1. It's interesting to me that when I tried to keep my head out of water, I sank. Conversely, when I kept my countenance lowered, my entire body was lifted to the surface of the water. Luke 1:52 -"He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree." Humility and obedience are key to following the Lord. In fact, He promises to lift up those who will surrender to His will. However, there is no word uglier in American culture, and perhaps fallen human nature, than "submission". As soon as someone tells me to do something, I want to do the opposite... just to show him that he's "not the boss of me". But here comes God with His words, instructions, and commands. What know? Obedience or rebellion: what would I choose? Too often, it's my way. That's when I start to sink down, because I would not humble myself.

2. The more I followed the proper instruction I had been given, the more I was able to glide through the water. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Piggybacking on the last paragraph: it's when I conform to His wisdom and instruction that I find a curious thing... I glide through with peace that surpasses understanding (even when the water is rough). Just as following proper instruction from a knowledgeable coach produced more streamlined swimming, respecting God's opinion (AND observing it) leads to an effective life.

3. My faculties were working in the water to propel me closer to the finish. Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Frequently, I base my philosophies on the culture in which I've been submerged. As a Christ follower, I'm to be in the culture... yet not succumb to it. It is when I'm lining up my thoughts, heart, and actions to God's plan that I can press on through this cultural water towards the prize, which is savoring Christ.

From Table to Cockpit

Today is Tuesday. Today is the day U2 and Muse bring their music to Atlanta. Two of my high schoolers are going, and I'm not even jealous. In fact, I'm excited for them. I love both of those groups. Side note: the girls are wearing black tops and jeans. Some things never change.

Today is Tuesday. Today is the day I swim 1 mile and run 5. The triathlon is Sunday, and I'm ready. By no means am I physically or mentally prepared, but I'm just ready to unleash, to release all I have in the silent scream of extreme exertion. There is nothing I could want more than to expend myself in the ocean and on the land He's made. There's nothing more I want than to cry out, and nothing more I desire than to lay against His heart.

Today is Tuesday. Today the clouds are a dam. I sit here and grade art work, swallow red beans with rice, and listen to the Twilight soundtrack. And I think about reading the series. My appetite for teenage angst and "star-crossed lovers" was whetted after watching the movie. My friend Embo has been telling me to read the series for months, so I guess I finally will.

Today is Tuesday. Today it's Fall, and there are 3.5 days until my 26th birthday. Wow. Twenty-six. I've been a permanent resident of Georgia for 22 years. For half my life I've been a runner, and I've been a car-driver for 10 years. I've been trying to follow Jesus for 9 years. I've been out of college for about 4 years... wanting to go back for the last 2 years.

This will be the first Fall I've spent single in 3 years. And the same for my birthday. Weird.