the lake

It has felt like the effort of putting coherent words together was more than I’ve had capacity for… but they still come. They come in my mind, and in my body, and in all kinds of ways, until it becomes harder to keep them in, then to let them out. I guess that may be part of what it is to be a writer… I’m still deciding.

Here are the words that demanded attention and capturing as I tried to drift off to sleep tonight; a piece of what is fighting to be known and shared in this season - with I’m certain more to come.

Thanks for enduring the sentiment that comes with a late night voice; it’s a different me than the morning hours. But I’m learning to make space for all the different layers of who I have been created to be.

Praying it lifts and encourages you to see and give space to the pieces of who you are made to be also.

the lake

there is a deep inhale
a breath that has been held
is released
and new air is drawn in at last

drawn down to the soles of my feet
to the places I’m really standing
as I gaze out over the vastness of the water

there is so much promise,
so much potential,
so much longing
a longing for the rich, deep, coolness
a yearning for the silky, soothing freedom of knowing

it stretches further than I can see
the other side is unknown
and even the bends obscure what might be coming soon
there’s an unknowing
and yet it is familiar
it is sure

there is an invitation here
to say yes again
to believe in the promise of refreshment;
to trust the gift of flying free
soaring just beneath the surface

but there is also risk.
there is cost,
there is doubt
there is a safety in remaining
in staying with what is known, what is comfortable and warm
there is a drug about the sun that both warms to the point of want,
but then just as quickly, subdues into sleep:
nestling, cocooning, speaking the lies of safety in certainty

but what of the relief of the cool?
what of the rush of choosing to risk?
what of the singular purpose of gliding, diving, immersing into the deep, deep blue

there is a true freedom to be found here
a release, a renewal,
there is a return to self in the yes
in the choice to risk again

there is a certainty in jumping in with abandon that carries far more weight and grounding
than the safe shore can ever offer

because the lake is sure
the lake is vast
the lake is magnificent
the lake is home
always waiting patiently to welcome me back to myself