Running in Water

Two weeks ago I stepped off a curve and sprained my ankle. It was one of those not so graceful
moments that you just wish you could rewind and be more careful. I placed my foot forward as I do every day it turned and twisted abnormally. Immediately I yelped in pain. My husband quickly and tenderly helped me to a chair where I could catch my breath and assess the damage. My ankle swelled and was unable to support my weight. Instantly, I had visions of not participating in the tri-athalon I had trained for so diligently. Fourteen days later, I still have swelling and bruising.

My coach’s instructions prohibited running while swelling was evident. I feel a bit frustrated in this mandated rest, but also have learned to accept it as God running interference to train in better ways.

So I was told to run in the water. Hmmm, never having done this before, but not wanting to lose
my level of fitness, I subjected myself to try this new way. So the other day, I went to our aquatic
center and asked one of the very young lifeguards for a belt. This belt is designed to keep you
buoyant; buckling the floating apparatus around my waist, I entered the water and attempted to run.

I felt a little sheepish as I was running in water upright; it’s not a normal posture in the pool. But as I let go of my self-consciousness and focused on the therapy, I started contemplating. Rotating my hips and legs under the surface, I started realizing something. In this state of suspension, I couldn’t hurt myself! I couldn’t twist an ankle, fall down or injure a joint. I was totally supported and safe. Then the ah-ha moment came to me.

My spirit is encased in Living Water. It is supported and protected by the power of the Spirit of
the Eternal God who sent the Source of all Life to save me. My soul cannot be snatched away. I
started laughing in my conversation with God, the One who loves me most, who desires for me
to understand I am safe. I am surrounded and buoyant in the promised protection of grace.

This protection is a new thought for me. God is my shield and protector. I have often left
myself to this assignment, which frankly has not gone very well. So sprained ankle = greater
understanding of the Living Water’s presence in my life completely, fully and all encompassing.
This is a lesson well worth understanding. For this I am glad.