“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” –
John 8:36
Two weeks ago I received the wonderful news that my wounds
from surgery had healed, and that I could now begin water therapy. I immediately went to Target, bought a
pair of goggles, dug up my swimsuit, and headed to the pool.
For those of you who know me, you know that I am a creature
of the morning. I love being up
before the sun and I love to watch it rise. Lucky for me, the swimming pool at the gym has a whole
east-facing wall made of windows.
So two weeks ago I woke up at the beautiful hour of 4:30 am, made my
favorite tea, scooped out some delicious key lime yogurt into a bowl, topped it
off with some o-so-delicious coconut granola, and headed to the gym. I was ecstatic when I entered the pool
area and found all my best friends doing water aerobics and swimming laps. And by best friends, I mean a pool full
of 70+-year-old strangers who welcomed me into their morning routines with
smiles, laughter, and friendly “good mornings”. They all moved over so I could have a lane of my own. All the wonderful little Grannies
complimented me on my “bit out of place” two-piece swimsuit and I asked them
where they found their killer water socks.
As I swam my first lap, I immediately teleported back to
childhood. My childhood dream of
becoming a mermaid instantly reignited in my soul. I was reminded why I used to write all my papers and draw
all my pictures of me as a mermaid, while all my peers drew pictures of astronauts
and wrote stories about their dreams of becoming doctors. I guess I’ve always had a bit of a free
spirit :) With each stroke that sliced through the water and with each breath that filled
my lungs, I kept tasting more and more freedom. I became more and more thankful for the ability to move
again. I had missed physical
activity and the freedom it provides my heart. About halfway through my mermaid frolics and childhood
reminiscing that Monday morning, the sun began to rise. It was as if fire had taken over the
whole sky… Flooding into the windows and capturing each of us in the pool. Being the waterworks individual that I
am, I couldn’t help but cry. It’s
as if my heart exploded with thankfulness for that moment, and that moment
alone. I was moving my legs
again. My lungs were working hard
for me again. My heart was beating
in my chest. My mind was free
again. My faith was that of a
child again. My feet were not
confined by shoes. My body was
weightless in the sea around me.
My soul was given a new day that was flooding into that small room. My new best friends were encouraging me
and taking it in with me. I was
overcome by joy.
It Was A Beautiful Day Indeed
I was brought back to reality as my vision blurred and my
goggles were filled with salty tears.
I emptied them out into the pool and laughed through tears and smiled at
the beauty of that moment. There
was nothing spectacular or monumental about that Monday morning… It was simply
the fact that I allowed God to completely capture me in that moment. To see Him in that sunrise and to
realize that each day is truly a gift.
He had to startle me in such a way so that I could remember to rejoice
with each new sunrise and to thank Him with each passing sunset… To not dread
the days ahead, but rather to rejoice and seek His face throughout the craziness
of this fleeting life. From that
day on, I have tried to spend more and more mornings in that pool. I want to be startled and moved to
tears with each new sunrise. I
want to remember why I’ve always wanted to be a mermaid. I want to realize why I spent most of
my life in my swimsuit with bare feet… Literally my mom said it was quite the
fight trying to get me to wear shoes and change out of my swimsuit haha :) Most of all, I want to
remember the freedom that comes with childhood. The trust and the faith that are unwavering, and eyes that
see each and every little thing as amazing and new.
So I permitted my newfound thankfulness and awe to seep into each avenue of my life. To try and show that same light I found in the sunrise to others that I crossed paths with. Whether it was friends, family, or strangers, I wanted this little light to shine. I thought of all of my little brothers and sisters in Uganda and Rwanda and how I can't wait to swim with them again. I can't wait to fetch water with them as the sun rises in foreign lands. I can't wait to play with them on a new playground at a new school when God provides us with each of those things. I can't wait to hear about their hopes and dreams. I can't wait to draw pictures and write stories about becoming mermaids, doctors, nurses, teachers, and athletes. I can't wait to walk on dirt roads with our bare feet... Free as can be. I can't wait to tell them that in just a few more weeks they will have brand new desks to learn from because a group of people, oceans away, believe in them and believe that they deserve the best. I can't wait :)
Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the funding needed for the new desks! We have almost met our goal amount of $1,500. We are hoping to have the total amount within the next two weeks. If you would still like to contribute, please visit our website at:
http://www.raysofgrace.org/support
Like always, I pray that you find joy and fulfillment in each day. I pray that you recognize Who fills your cup and how much abundance lies within the Maker's Hand. His Grace is truly sufficient and His love is captivating.
I love you guys!
grace&love&joy,
britt :)
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