Getting wet, diving in, going deep
Part 1: Getting wetI have always been an edge of the pool type gal. Other's run full on toward the pool; plug their nose in mid air and cannon ball style right into the middle with a big splash. Me? Not so much. I like to sit pool-side, dip my toes in, feel the temperature of the water. Then I scoot toward the steps and start with the first and then the second ,splashing myself with some water to get used to it a bit, before I venture toward the third and finally ease myself in.
I remember going to a pool party for a childhood friend in about fourth or fifth grade. It was a mixture of boys and girls and most likely the entire class was invited, though I can't remember for sure (the joys of growing older...). The drive there was fun and the lodge where it was held was in a wooded area, a bit magical. The boys headed to their side to change and us girls to ours. One by one the party goers slipped out to join the fun and I could hear screams and peals of laughter from the safety of the changing room. All I could think of was (nope - no fear of the bathing suit, that would come years later haha) there were rowdy boys (and some rowdy girls) out there and one of them was sure to pull me from the edge and force my head underwater and I might not be able to get back up!
I fidgeted from one foot to the other, folded my arms across my chest and tried to summon the courage to move. A deep breath in and...there was the birthday girl, and then another and another. They had come back for me. They encouraged me to join in, to get wet. Long story short, I left my safety zone, eased into the pool (hey, baby steps people, baby steps) and before long I was laughing along with the rest of them. It was a fun party, one I may have missed out on had I not taken the initial plunge.
Years later, I still fight that edge of the pool thing at times. Oh, I have learned to jump in the water (although I still prefer the ease in method) but what about the spiritual pool? What about the things God asks of me? I can hide in the changing room, sit on the edge, dip my toes in even, but unless I let go and get wet I will continue to miss out on so much He has for me.
God calls to us, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1. So we drink deeply and are filled. But there is more, so we wade in, get wet even - and are drenched in His love. But there is more yet He requires, so we make our way up the steps to the diving board, filled to the full and ready to dive in...
Stay tuned for part 2: diving in
Linking this Wednesday at TellHisStory here
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Faith
13 comments
Great analogy! I am an ease in gently kind of girl on all things water, too. I know my fear of "scary" things has kept me from fun things. I don't want to miss the fun things God has for me, though. Can't wait to read your next post!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing we have in common Susan : )
DeleteA beautifully written post.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post, Mindy! I can't wait for part 2 :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wanted to say that your Sea Hawks played a fantastic game on Sunday - they were on fire :) It was truly neat to see them win.
Hugs to you, sweet friend!
Aww Stephanie, you are too sweet! It was definitely their day and today crowds of around 700,000 are lining the streets of Seattle to welcome them home. I love the clips of Russell Wilson (quarterback) giving the glory to God but also was so touched by a photo snapped shortly after the game of one of the Seahawks along with three Bronco players kneeling in prayer together - now that is how it's done!
DeleteHi Mindy! I was a swimmer for many years, and my least favorite time was the first dive into the water. So cold!!
ReplyDeleteI can just see you splashing yourself with the water and trying to get used to the temp. But I'm so happy that your friends came and got you out of the changing room and into the pool! Where would we be without the encouragement of our friends, both in life and in the spirit? They help us 'get in the pool' every time.
Can't wait to hear about the 'dive'!
Ceil
Yes- supporting one another makes all the difference doesn't it?! Thank you for your encouragement : )
ReplyDeleteI used to be a dive-right-in kind of girl but somewhere along the line that changed--and I am not sure I like it! That cautious attitude has carried over into other areas of my life and I wish I would just jump right in with Jesus instead of being timid.
ReplyDeleteThis was great! Left me thinking of where I stand with the whole “sit on the edge or jump in” thing. I can do either depending on the situation. Can’t wait for the next post!
ReplyDeleteMindy,
ReplyDeleteI am just like you, when it comes into easing into the pool....and yet, sometimes God calls me to jump right in...so it has been a learning process for me....and I also liked how your story showed the importance of friends in getting us to get wet :)
I'm such an edge-of-the-pool person, too. Gotta test the waters, tiptoe in. Sometimes that's okay; sometimes it's the more painful way. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes we need to just take the dive head-first.
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy,
ReplyDeleteI saw this post last night and decided to wait until I had the time to come and really savour it. So tonight I'm sitting back after a long day with a glass of wine and just enjoying the easy flow and cadence of your words. I LOVE the way you write! You make us relate, you make us smile and you make us want more. You paint a picture so clearly that I'm certain everyone saw themselves in you in that changeroom. Thank you for such a treat today.
Great story. My first introduction to the deep end of the pool was to be thrown in by the YMCA instructor - sink or swim! I was only 5 years old. It was many years before I got up the courage to try swimming and to this day don't really enjoy it. Hope you have a great weekend, Jan
ReplyDelete