Swing

I

love 

to

swing. 

There’s something about the ebb and flow that soothes my weary soul. My favorite place to swing is this restful place in Michigan.

Swinging with a view of Lake Michigan.

It takes a bit of effort, moving your legs back and forth and swaying your body to fall into a rhythm. But once I am there, I never seem to tire as the breeze flows through my hair and I enjoy the view and the sense of freedom.

In recent months, I’ve felt like I’ve been falling backwards into the past, while also trying to move forward…

My word for this year is “Release” for a reason. I am really proud of the progress I have made to release past hurts, yet it’s impossible to erase all the brokenness. The ugliness of past wrongs and mistakes have snuck up on me in unexpected ways, as I am eager to fall forward after the backwards swing.

When life pushes me backwards, it's only temporary. The past is a reminder that I can do hard things and swing forward towards what's next in life.

 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV