Faith Float

Photo by Todd Jenkins

Whether we jump

or are thrown into the river,

our reflex is to struggle,

mostly against the current;

either to maintain our favored position

or fight to get upstream

to a place we’ve decided is better.

But if we fill our lungs with breath,

and our lives with spirit,

we just might find the courage

to relax – to lie back and float.

No longer obsessed

with who's passing us by

or when/where we'll wash ashore,

we may find a way

to let the water shape us;

its steady flow wearing smooth

the rough edges of our brokenness,

so that we no longer

cut others and harm ourselves.

Lasting transformation is

more likely shared when we allow

others into the spaces where the river

has smoothed our abrasiveness.

© 2014 Todd Jenkins