Freefall into the grace of God
Denise Levertov is a wonderful poet, isn't she?
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 ~
Ohhhh, what lovely memories this poem evokes in me.
Freefalling into the arms of God.
Leaving the false security of ARCO. Strangely easy .... Preaching to the seminary community, professors and all. Valerie telling me to LIVE, LIVE in THIS moment .... Group therapy where I was Levertov's soaring hawk, the bravest I've ever been when it comes to a potential relationship .... And marriage. Risking it all, although somehow it didn't feel like the cost could be death, sustained no doubt by God and by a confidence in D's 'earnestness.'
So it seems that Life ~real Life~ is a series of freefalls.
Learning to trust.
....................Failing to learn, time and time and time again.
Staying open, though. Listening for the still small voice and its nudgings.
Becoming more conscious of Fear, but its sister Courage as well.
Holy One, nudge me to freefall.
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 ~
Ohhhh, what lovely memories this poem evokes in me.
Freefalling into the arms of God.
Leaving the false security of ARCO. Strangely easy .... Preaching to the seminary community, professors and all. Valerie telling me to LIVE, LIVE in THIS moment .... Group therapy where I was Levertov's soaring hawk, the bravest I've ever been when it comes to a potential relationship .... And marriage. Risking it all, although somehow it didn't feel like the cost could be death, sustained no doubt by God and by a confidence in D's 'earnestness.'
So it seems that Life ~real Life~ is a series of freefalls.
Learning to trust.
....................Failing to learn, time and time and time again.
Staying open, though. Listening for the still small voice and its nudgings.
Becoming more conscious of Fear, but its sister Courage as well.
Holy One, nudge me to freefall.
Comments
“Stubborn Ounces”
(To One Who Doubts the Worth of
Doing Anything If You Can’t Do Everything)
By Bonaro W. Overstreet
You say the Little efforts that I make
will do no good: they never will prevail
to tip the hovering scale
where Justice hangs in balance.
I don’t thinkI ever thought they would.
But I am prejudiced beyond debate
in favor of my right to choose which side
shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight.
Your prayer will also be mine:
"Holy One, nudge me to freefall."
Thanks, D and Jan
So beautiful, poignant, and touching. Thanks for sharing your courage.