The good weather recently has brought me back to wild swimming. I still prefer a wetsuit for this, as the water in the loch can still be quite chilly.

For my first swim of the year, I got my wetsuit out. The first thing I noticed was that it was inside out! ( you can tell already I am not an expert). So I pulled it the right way round, and that helped.

Then I was trying to get into it. This was another slight problem. I got my first leg in ok, but the second was more problematic. It didn’t seem to fit very well, and there didn’t seem much ‘ give’. I thought I must have put on some weight, and was so disappointed at my struggles. It just didn’t look right.

Then I had a revelation- I had mistakenly put my leg into the arm of the wetsuit! No wonder it didn’t fit. ( my arms being different sizes from the legs, and not coming out of my shoulders). I tried to quietly disentangle myself, and get dressed. Eventually I was zipped in, and ready to go. Despite my mishaps, once I was in the water, it was glorious. Even the midges didn’t put me off. Seeing nature from the water is wonderful, as you feel so free!

The ability to laugh at ourselves seems essential to our survival. We often get things wrong, but just noticing what has happened, and having courage to try again, is all that is needed.

I love the idea that God looks upon us with love, and He wants to give us a second chance. In Isaiah 41: 13b He says ‘ Fear not, I will help you.’

In small things and big, God helps us get disentangled from the things that hold us back, and gives us a new start. We are so grateful. Even though my wild swimming preparations were more involved than I thought, when I saw what was happening, I could learn from it and put it right. We are not to be put off by setbacks, but to persevere, and to trust.

Gracious God, we start off so enthusiastically to do things, but so quickly we can end up in a fankle. Lord Jesus, please always give us insight and presence of mind to notice what has happened, and to approach things differently. Thankyou for the humour in life! Help us not to become scared, but to forgive ourselves for our failings. May we always keep trying, and be enabled to enjoy the fruit of our efforts, in this case a glorious swim. May your holy spirit always lead us to freedom and joy, in Jesus name, Amen.