Christ Beneath Me

One of the "saving graces" (unmerited and yet oh so delightful!) during the past few weeks is that our community pool finally opened. On hot and dry California afternoons, it is such a relief to take a dip in the crystal clear water!

Due to COVID-19, however, there are several restraints. We have to reserve our spot one week in advance. There are limited hours and a maximum of ten people at any given time. One reason we loved our apartment was not only all the school friends in our complex, but that we were able to go swimming every afternoon whenever it fit our schedule. And then...is it even worth typing anymore? Yep, COVID. Now we have to plan in advance and beat our neighbors to the reservation. But, I digress...

It had been several months since my children had gone for a swim, so as soon as we were able, we were at the pool. The first time we got in, my husband Nathan and I quickly realized our children had forgotten many of their skills. Instead of taking to the water like fish, they struggled to feel comfortable past the 3-foot end. You may know the scene well: tears welling up, protests against going any deeper, and once one can no longer stand, there is panic and the flailing of arms. Non-swimmers feel at a loss without solid ground beneath them.

You cleared the ground under me

so my footing was firm.

2 Samuel 22:37

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

Together we have been looking closely at The Prayer of St. Patrick. Today, I turn our attention to the line "Christ beneath me." Like an inexperienced swimmer, I have had many days in 2020 where I felt like the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. Nothing - not a schedule not my health not my routines - felt steady. I may have even had tears, protests, and panic.

And yet, St. Patrick reminds us that Christ is beneath us keeping us grounded. Even when our world is shaking, Jesus remains steadfast.

I have come to realize that in times of constant change my thoughts get the best of me. I always am trying to problem-solve future events before they even occur and let my thoughts turn to worst-case scenarios. I'm living out of my head. Instead, I want to be grounded.

I recently started practicing mindfulness in which I take a moment to pause and to ground myself. I put one hand on my head and one on my heart. I close my eyes and take deep breaths. I say a short prayer to God. I place myself back into the present moment. I return to doing one simple next thing, without trying to plan tomorrow.

I commend this practice to you. No matter what you are facing, no matter how unstable the vast waters feel, remember that Christ is beneath you. Take a moment today to take a breath and come back to the present. We are grounded together in faith and God will keep us steady and see us through.

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash