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28 October 2010

And it isn't Only in Dreams that we Fly

In the midst of all this change, we dream.

I jumped off a cliff once, into a river. Maybe I had a moment of craziness, to exchange solid ground for the thrill of the drop and freezing water. In truth, I felt terror. But I also felt exhilaration and sensed the possibility in the moment. I could have stayed, but that's not who I am, for I'm nothing if not the one who takes that leap, who gives possibility the chance to become more.

There are days when the prospect of moving looms over us and I try to remember that jump: terror is not the end, just a step on the way to more.

God comes close to those who stand on the edge, and he catches those who jump. And sometimes, when love and need run together, he provides winged horses to catch them mid-fall and watches with delight as terror becomes joy beyond imagining.


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10 comments:

Heather said...

awesome image here!

I did that once. On our honeymoon. And screamed bloody murder all the way down.

It was definitely worth it.

terri said...

i'm terrified of heights so you won't find me flying any time soon. but i fly all the time in my dreams, when i dream.

and added to my list of things to talk about when we meet face-to-face: what is imperfect prose? :)

terri said...

let me clarify...you won't find me flying off cliffs any time soon. you'll definitely find me flying on a plane soon. :)

christianne said...

Sigh. I'm still so jealous you and Terri get to meet face to face. :)

I liked this post for so many reasons:

1) I never knew you jumped off a cliff. You would never get me to do that, but it was neat to learn that you did.

2) Even though I would never jump off literal cliffs, I am someone who also likes to take leaps of the metaphorical, life-sized kind ... so the incongruence I felt when reading you like both was something interesting for me to notice. I thought, "I like to take leaps in life too ... but why can't I apply that to literal cliffs?" Don't know, but I just can't do it.

3) I liked the way you wove "winged horses" into this post. :)

Mommy Emily said...

you are brave, girl. i've jumped off a cliff (in the dominican republic) but it took me 10 minutes to do so. in the end, after jumping, i realized the distance wasn't nearly as great as it had seemed from the cliff... isn't that always the case? for he cushions our fall. as you say so beautifully. this: I try to remember that jump: terror is not the end, just a step on the way to more.

a beautiful post, sister.

(ps. you were asking about shreddies? :) they are a cereal... made by Post. very delicious! and healthy. xo)

Joelle said...

Do you know Travis Cotrell (music artist)? He sings this fabulous song about falling. Falling into Love. I think when I am most aware of and one with Love is when I'm falling. Or failing. Failing into Love. You don't really know love until it catches you at your most miserable, despicable.

alittlebitograce said...

i am scared of heights, but love to jump off cliffs into water. sometimes i think the fear is part of the adventure. now i wonder why i don't approach life the same way?

i love your beautiful words, especially the winged horse imagery.

Kati patrianoceu said...

Wow, thank you for this! In some areas of life, I'm so scared of jumping that I really don't even know where to find the cliff. I will need to hear words like your many times over.

Laura said...

I love this, Sarah. Yes, we have to jump into His arms, don't we? That initial separation for the ground is terrifying, but, wow! I think you are very, very brave.

Laura said...

I love this, Sarah. Yes, we have to jump into His arms, don't we? That initial separation for the ground is terrifying, but, wow! I think you are very, very brave.