August Prayers: On Floating
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
This past month, I’ve been soaking up the rocky, coastal region of Cape Ann, Massachusetts where I grew up and where my parents, extended family and dear friends live. It’s a landscape that is part of my spiritual autobiography and I’m grateful for this summer ritual. Part of that ritual involves jumping into and floating in water as much as possible; mostly the ocean, but occasionally our favorite, secret quarry filled with crystal clear water, entered only by way of a special pass from a neighbor and permission from a very intimidating guard named Steve.
When was the last time you floated in water? A hammock can work in its place and I encourage you to find either this month. After a minute or two, something magical might begin - you might feel in your body what you claim (or would like to claim) in your heart and mind:
that you are held and loved by the Creator of the universe.
Love surrounding, grace abounding.
-Christy
The Avowal
As swimmers dare
to lie face to the sky
and water bears them,
as hawks rest upon air
and air sustains them,
so would I learn to attain
freefall, and float
into Creator Spirit's deep embrace,
knowing no effort earns
that all-surrounding grace.
— Denise Levertov
Cousins floating in Steel Derrick Quarry, Rockport, MA.