Recreation Swim

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived…” God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NRSVUE) 

The Pandemic Epoch threw a wrench into the spokes of my love affair with the public pool, that humid incubator. But I recently realized that summer is coming, and if I want to get back on my paddleboard (yes, please!), I am going to have to remember how to swim.  

So, I went to the pool in my new town, bought a pass and studied the schedule of open swim times. Mildly intimidated by the level of athleticism possibly required for Lap Swim, I decided to check out the Recreation Swim on Fridays. This was thrilling in its way but about as chaotic as a middle-school cafeteria, and I didn’t last very long.  

This morning I tried the weekday Recreation Swim instead, a grayer and calmer affair. As I say, I’m not an athlete by any means, but I conceived a little plan for myself, designed for strengthening, flexibility and cardio work. I jumped into the water, full of self-reproach for all the missed workout opportunities of the past few years.  

Once there, surrounded by the gentle murmuring voices of the other, ahem, mature swimmers, I found myself doing something I would never have planned. I just … lay on my back. Arms wide, I prayed a little unexpected prayer of gratitude for my body, how she’s carried me all these decades. For a while, I just breathed and floated on the depths. Of the pool. And of God’s grace. 

Prayer
Dear God, let us hear your whisper from the depths, the words our hearts cannot conceive, “You are here and so am I. And it is never too late. Never. Never.” Amen.

About the Author
Rev. Jennifer Garrison (formerly Brownell) is a writer, spiritual director and pastor living in the Pacific Northwest. Her published work most recently appeared in the book The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, available from The Pilgrim Press.