Swimming (and Life) Lessons

Swimming lessons were a “given” for me as a girl.

We spent summers within walking distance of the ocean on Cape Cod, and my parents made sure that my brother and I were strong enough swimmers to handle the waves and strong currents of the Atlantic. Most off-season Saturday mornings during my growing up years involved traveling to indoor pools for swimming lessons.

Side stroke was (and still is!) my favorite. I think mostly because it feels smooth and effortless. It isn’t noisy and doesn’t call a lot of attention to itself, (also, you don’t have to ever hold your breath, really.) “Pick an apple, put it in the basket. Pick an apple, put it in the basket.”

There’s a life lesson in there for sure – the smooth and automatic rhythm of immediately handing off the blessing received from above. What a lovely picture of generosity. I want that to be part of the fabric of my life – to receive and give away, in one fluid motion. Not to hold anything in my fist for too long – whether it be financial blessing, encouragement, wisdom, forgiveness. I want to share freely, to hold everything with an open palm – to let God’s goodness spill out of my life to those around me.

Generosity offers protection against the tide of greed and selfishness. A generous lifestyle exercises trust in God and brings a blessed freedom from materialism and a peaceful calm…just like the side stroke.

Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down
from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens
with no hidden shadow or darkness
and is never subject to change.
James 1:17

Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty.
Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—
all because God loves hilarious generosity!
2 Corinthians 9:7