as one who, when a teen, was pulled from a pool by a guard and resuscitated (Lord, bless Sue St. John), i’d never imagined the moment of Jesus’ immersion as opening on to / touching all who have nearly or actually died by drowning—seeing and holding them in their distress. i also immediately thought of a man whose wedding I officiated who, in the Boxing Day tsunami, as he was helping others get to higher ground, was swept away and died, only to be found a week later by his son—a full kilometer into the Thai jungle. touched and immensely grateful, Tania.
Oh wow, Brad. Those are powerful stories. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Water gives and takes away. No wonder it features so frequently in scripture.
My goodness. This is wonderful, Tania. How do you manage a measure of snark alongside such visceral heartbreak (as these comments testify) and then a bit of glorious trinitarian theology to top it off?!
What a beautiful image. So often I think of the Trinity as “them,” when the whole point of Jesus’ incarnation and sacrifice was to bring us in, too… to make it “us.”
I found this poem to be a new perspective and deeply comforting. Last summer in July 2023, a family at our church lost their son in a drowning accident a week before his second birthday. It’s comforting to know Jesus was with him as he drowned. The family has continued to abide in Christ and the Lord does give life amidst heartbreak as the mother is now expecting twin boys in a few months
It warms my heart to imagine how this project must be bringing you closer to the heart of Christ. It is certainly doing so for me. Such a wonderful way to showcase both His immanence and transcendence. I think Jesus is pleased with the work you are doing here. I'll be thrilled to add this book to my library, when the time comes.
Jason, thank you so much for your very kind and encouraging comments! This project has been an adventure. I came of faith in a culture where "quiet times" looked a certain way. And this was not it, haha.
as one who, when a teen, was pulled from a pool by a guard and resuscitated (Lord, bless Sue St. John), i’d never imagined the moment of Jesus’ immersion as opening on to / touching all who have nearly or actually died by drowning—seeing and holding them in their distress. i also immediately thought of a man whose wedding I officiated who, in the Boxing Day tsunami, as he was helping others get to higher ground, was swept away and died, only to be found a week later by his son—a full kilometer into the Thai jungle. touched and immensely grateful, Tania.
Oh wow, Brad. Those are powerful stories. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Water gives and takes away. No wonder it features so frequently in scripture.
My goodness. This is wonderful, Tania. How do you manage a measure of snark alongside such visceral heartbreak (as these comments testify) and then a bit of glorious trinitarian theology to top it off?!
You know, just a day in the life. 😂
“…Of course my Father was well
pleased with this gathering, the Three of us
fused in one burst of light, the rest of you
flashing in the drops on my face.”
What a beautiful image. So often I think of the Trinity as “them,” when the whole point of Jesus’ incarnation and sacrifice was to bring us in, too… to make it “us.”
Thank you, Sarah!
I found this poem to be a new perspective and deeply comforting. Last summer in July 2023, a family at our church lost their son in a drowning accident a week before his second birthday. It’s comforting to know Jesus was with him as he drowned. The family has continued to abide in Christ and the Lord does give life amidst heartbreak as the mother is now expecting twin boys in a few months
Oh, that is so awful. Praying for healing and comfort as their family grows.
It warms my heart to imagine how this project must be bringing you closer to the heart of Christ. It is certainly doing so for me. Such a wonderful way to showcase both His immanence and transcendence. I think Jesus is pleased with the work you are doing here. I'll be thrilled to add this book to my library, when the time comes.
Jason, thank you so much for your very kind and encouraging comments! This project has been an adventure. I came of faith in a culture where "quiet times" looked a certain way. And this was not it, haha.
Wow. Thank you. Brilliant poem.
Thank you, friend!
💛💛💛
💯❤️💯
"I held / the pressure of water’s cruel energy / and its lapping addiction to life."
bars!