If you need me, I'll be on the swings.

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.

1. Swinging in a long skirt is just as therapeutic as ever.  
2. Standing up on the swing is not as enjoyable when your head nearly hits the top of the swing set.
3. Flipping upside down on the swing is awesome!
4. Nearly hitting your head on the ground, not so much.
5. Swinging on your stomach is not nearly as fun as it was. It will give you a stomach ache.
6. 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