Sink or Swim

"Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Taylor has been taking swimming lessons for about three years now. This past year we had her in lessons year round. The payoffs have been tremendous! I can now sit at the edge of the pool with friends rather than jump in each time the "socializing" begins. (OK, so that's the real reason most moms have their kids in swimming lessons, isn't it???) Anyway, all kidding aside, it has been one of the most rewarding things to watch her accomplish. She can actually put together the "big arms," "face in," and "big kickers" all at once! She may not be the next Dara Torres, but she certainly deserves a gold medal in my book.

Many times I've watched as Taylor has truly gone in circles or left to right rather than straight forward like anyone who can see does. She has to work twice as hard to go from Point A to Point B every time. She has no idea how much harder she's working than anyone else. Aren't we like that so often? Sometimes, we put it all together and go straight from Point A to Point B. Other times, it takes us twice as long, and we may get extra tired, but we still get there! We have to give ourselves grace to go the distance and trust that we'll get there with God's guidance. Taylor does have someone with her at all times. (I don't take my eyes off her even when I'm out of the pool, and I'd jump in a heartbeat if I had to!) We have someone too...He's directing us and getting us there if we let Him.