The Flyer Must Fly

"The flyer must never try to catch the catcher," the trapeze artist told Nouwen. He must wait in absolute trust. The catcher will catch him. But he must wait. His job is not to flail about in anxiety. In fact if he does, it could kill him. His job is to be still. To wait. And to wait is the hardest work of all." – John Ortberg retelling a Henri Nouwen story

Waiting is the hardest work of all. I read this when I was home sick and the story resonated within me. I had to wait to get better. I could not just will myself to be better. Unfortunately, the flu has quite a grip on me and despite returning to work today, I am not well. I rarely take two sick days in a row and people were concerned because I still did not look well.

This image spoke to me on a much more profound level. I have a tendency to make things happen. I heard the order to stay still. Stop thrashing about. It was as if I heard God say: I have this; you do not need to get it. I have let go and am in midair awaiting the catcher. Can I stand the stillness of that experience? Can I fight every instinct that tells me to reach out for the hand to grab me? Can I trust that the catcher will catch me? It is an ultimate test. I have no other choice but to try.

Peace,

Suzanne