The gull stood on a rock in the sea.
Ferry wash struck the rock
and drenched her.
She shifted her stance
but remained,
webbed feet on cold mount,
as another wave splashed over her,
then, another,
and another.
Why does she keep standing there?
The next moment, she
swam away
as if the waves
were skipping rope, Double Dutch,
and she
was counting herself in.
That’s how You spoke to me
as I drank my tea
safe and warm inside the cottage
cold and wet inside my heart.
Count yourself in, You said.
Swim.
Fly.
Waves come
and waves go.
Feel the rhythm.
Hear the rhyme:
Count yourself in.
Count yourself in.
Count yourself in.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
–Galatians 5:1
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A New Year’s Reflection
Take a few moments and be with the words and images in today’s blog post.
- As you look back over the past year, what have been cold waves in your life?
- Imagine God with you, feeling what you feel, understanding and compassionate. How does God want to console you?
- As you look ahead to the new year, what feels overwhelming? From what would you like to flee? Share this with God.
- Now with God as a firm rock under your feet, turn to face your life as it is.
- What do you need from God to “count yourself in”?
An Everyday Pilgrim 