It will not come as a surprise to those who know me that one of my favorite pastime is swinging (and for once in 2014 I mean swinging on a swing set, not swing dancing). For as long as I can remember the swing set has been my ‘thinking place’. When I was little, I would spend my time on the swings imagining the world away. Now that I’m older….I still imagine the world away. But I do more than that now: I ponder.
As I sat on the swing tonight I thought about my life and how it is changing. College is literally two days away. College. In Pennsylvania. Six hours from home and friends. I am scared silly. Then I realized that this sounds really familiar to me.
Oxymoronically, though swinging is one of my favorite pastimes, it happens to be one of my fears as well. Whenever I swing, I imagine (at least briefly) the horrific injuries that would occur if the swing set broke. I could fall and break my neck. Or break my legs. I’d die. I’d be crippled for life; the possible injuries are endless. And yet, every time I swing, I shove those thoughts to the back of my mind and pump my legs harder. I enjoy swinging too much to allow my fear to get in the way.
Then it hit me.
If I can trust two trees, some wood, screws, and rope to hold me up, I think I can trust the Maker of the universe to support me.
Yes, everything is changing. My life is going in a new direction. I’m moving “down south”. I am going to live with people I have never me. I am scared of leaving home. I’m scared my friends will forget me or that it will be awkward when I come back. I’m honestly scared of meeting new people. I’m just scared.
But, just like a swing set, God will hold me. Through rocky times, through unsteady times, through dizzying times, God will hold me. He’s been with me as I grew up, and He will be with me as I keep growing. I can't let my fear of falling prevent me from all the good that can-and will-come out of next year. My "swing set" won't collapse on me. My support will hold through any loneliness and fear I experience. Change will be painful, but I won't die or be crippled for life.
And you know what? God will be with me through the change.
Since my childhood, another type of swing has become a love of mine. Swing dancing! It’s a long story of how swing dancing came about in my life, but the point is simply that the type of swing I enjoy now is different, but equally as good. Change is good and God will be with me through it all.
Now, before I sign off for the night I’d like to share a few bits of wisdom I learned tonight on the swings.
- Swinging in a long skirt is just as therapeutic as ever.
- Standing up on the swing is not as enjoyable when your head nearly hits the top of the swing set.
- Flipping upside down on the swing is awesome!
- Nearly hitting your head on the ground, not so much.
- Swinging on your stomach is not nearly as fun as it was. It will give you a stomach ache.
- Twisting your swing and then letting it spin you is still one of the best feelings ever.
Just thought I’d share some tidbits of wisdom :)
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Jesus song of the day: Live With Abandon by Newsboys
Secular song of the day: Young at Heart by Bing Crosby
