"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more."
In a wet suit for the first time. Snug. Form fitting.
Feels like a superhero outfit . . . all I need now is a cape . . .
Sitting on a bench, waiting for the others readying for our "Journey with the Gentle Giants" at the Georgia Aquarium. Excited about this adventure into another world.
Swimming alongside manta-rays. Giant Grouper. Saw-fish. Sharks (yes, you heard me right). And, an enchanting myriad of tropical fish.
But, best of all, being in the tank with that leviathan of the sea, the Whale Shark!
Excited, yes, but, just a tad anxious . . .
Our diver guide, James, reads my expression.
"So, what made you decide to do this swim today?" He asks genially.
"My husband knows that swimming with dolphins is on my bucket list," I tell him. "Since you don't offer that here, he thought this would be the next best thing."
"It is the BEST thing," James assures me, "much more rewarding than swimming with the dolphins, if you ask me."
"Really?"
"Absolutely! There's nothing like it."
James pauses a moment, pondering, no doubt, what he says next.
"This might sound hokey," he begins, "but there is something . . . something spiritual in this."
My ears perk up. My eyes brighten.
Spiritual . . .
I smile at him.
"Doesn't sound hokey to me at all!" I assure him.
I take James' words to heart. I believe . . .
Our group swims leisurely, masked faces submerged.
At first, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of what I see beneath me, beside me. Close enough to touch . . .
It is an entirely alien world from anything I know. Wonder fills my heart as I watch God's amazing creatures swimming gracefully. Effortlessly. Ever in motion. Yet, never in a hurry.
The underwater silence is so profound, so enfolding, even the murmur of salt water in my ears cannot keep it at bay.
Floating on the surface, I am suddenly aware.
This is what it feels like to be weightless!
Suspended. In perfect harmony, between heaven and earth.
I am no longer a body.
I am purely a soul.
And, more is measured to me than I could have imagined . . .
~
Are you carefully considering what you hear, listening for God speaking to you through others?
Will you join me in prayer?
We rejoice, Father, in your awesome, indescribable creation. We give thanks especially today for the creatures who live in the seas and for the vast oceans where the leviathan sports and plays. May we be ever mindful of Your gracious hands in all Your works. Amen.
Readings
Psalms (70) 71 or 74
Genesis 42:29-38
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Mark 4:21-34
Do you have any pictures of you doing all this Martha? I am picturing it and it is magnificent! I am so glad you took the plunge and got to experience it.
ReplyDeleteHi, RoseAnn, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe photo here IS me! :) Danny did his best to get pictures and we do have a few. He posted some on Facebook but, come to think of it, I don't think I tagged any. I'll check on this.
Blessings to you!
WOW, awesome! Sorry, I assumed this was something pulled from Google or something. It actually is a wonderful picture, looks so professional too! Yes, you must tag yourself so I can see more :)
DeleteI posted the photos to my feed today, RoseAnn. :)
DeleteThat must have been an awesome and spiritual experience. I have always been fascinated by the underwater world. I must that first on my bucket list. Thank you reminding, dear friend.
ReplyDeletehttp://rimlybezbaruah.blogspot.in/2012/03/aftermath.html
Great to see you here, Rimly!
DeleteIt was so awesome and I'm glad you are putting that experience on your bucket list, too. You won't regret it! :)
Blessings to you!
Ahem, your very welcome. Oh, and very nice description.
ReplyDeleteYes, Danny, thanks so much! I did have a whale of a time, of course. :) You're the best!
DeleteBlessings, Honey!
Oh Martha, I am so happy that you had the opportunity to do this. What a blessing and I am sure something that you will never forget!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Nelieta, I'll always remember this marvelous experience. It's something I would do again in a heartbeat.
DeleteThanks so much for dropping in today!
Blessings!
What an exciting experience, Martha. So glad you did something you've been longing to do (although I'm still partial to dolphins) and it turned out so well. Well done, Danny :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Corinne, it was better than I could have ever imagined. Memorable, indeed!
DeleteAnd, yes, Danny did a great job in planning this for me. Best birthday ever!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings as always!
Wow! I could feel this...wonderfully expressed....Happy that you had a whale of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a whale of a time, indeed! I'll never forget it.
DeleteThanks for your kind comment, Janaki!
Blessings!
Martha, this piece is beautifully written. I was floating weightless along with you. Surrendering to the sea or to God isn't easy, but the rewards are breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteI have a little something for you back at ELR... come and get it;)
Hugs,
Leah
Thanks so much for the compliment, Leah!
DeleteI love how you have compared surrender to the sea and to God - marvelous!
Not sure what ELR is, but will try to noodle it out. :)
Blessings to you!
Okay - I am really having a "Duh" day! Of course! Eating Life Raw! :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful description. I remember snorkeling in the Bahamas and loving it, feeling free and amazed by the coral and being eyed by all the sea life, tis amazing. One can't help but feel moved and connected beyond what they can see with their eyes. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Brenda, for stopping by today!
DeleteSnorkeling in the Bahamas, I'm sure, was breathtaking; an experience you will always remember. This is probably the closest I'll get to the real thing, but it was, indeed, an amazing adventure.
And, yes, one cannot help but be moved deeply by it . . .
Blessings to you!
This is something I'll never try. But when you started speaking about it in a 'spiritual' manner, I felt myself getting excited at the notion. I'm truly afraid of water~ what more of diving deep :P...
ReplyDeleteThe spiritual sense is so beautiful...it's almost reaching heaven with your description...maybe that is what buoyancy is all about... we're meant to be weightless...
I pray with you. I love the adventures that you have in life :)
Oh, Melissa, I can so relate as I am so afraid of heights. I worried briefly that floating on the top of the water and looking down, I might feel some vertigo, but, thankfully, I didn't in the least. I truly felt at "home".
DeleteI truly had that unexpected and wondrous revelation that C.S. Lewis spoke of: "You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body."
Wow! When God meets us where we are and we are open to Him, the miraculous happens!
Thank you for praying with me, dear, and enjoy all the adventures your life has in store for you!
Blessings ever!
Oh my gosh! That is so scary! I remember as a child when I lived in Indiana a tornado was coming and no one was home so I run and took cover in a nearby ditch. Happy to hear you are okay! Whew!
ReplyDeleteOh, Good Lord, Cathy, that is such a frightening experience! Alone? All by yourself?
DeleteSo glad you made it through unscathed!
The storms of life can be so unpredictable. Rest in the peace of the Lord.
Blessings, and thanks so much for dropping by!