A Reflection on Surfing

Surfing is something that has always fascinated me. I find it amazing how surfers paddle out, sit quietly on their boards, scan the waves as they form, then pick the one they think is just right and in a burst of energy and grace they move with the wave. Sometimes they stand and attempt to ride the wave, other times they lie flat and allow the wave to run its course.  

 

 At the beach a couple of weeks ago, I watched a young would-be surfer run to the water’s edge with his board. He paused for a minute to survey the water and then in an instant he was in the water paddling with his board. He didn’t go too far out, just far enough to catch some small waves and he lay on his board and let the water bring him in. After doing this a few times he attempted to stand and after a few spills he "got it."  He was determined and he worked at it. What got my attention more than his success at surfing was his falling or being pushed off his board by the force of a wave.  At first he stiffened up when he landed in the water, then he just gracefully allowed the water to take him and it always brought him safely to the surface close to his board.

All of a sudden, I was struck with the realization, "Isn’t this what life and prayer are all about?" We bring our surf board, all we are, our gifts, blessings, to the shore of life. Ahead of us is the immensity of God’s love which we know through prayer and Eucharist will always bring us back to the shore of life. We take in all that surrounds us, look for the perfect wave to ride and allow God’s love to guide us sometimes gracefully, sometimes not so gracefully to exactly the right part of the shore. The trick is not to fight the wave, the water, but like my young surfer allow the water to catch us, hold us. There are very few perfect waves out there. When you find one, enjoy the ride. There is a grace- full -ness in allowing ourselves to fall into God’s love.

Mary Kay Kelley SSJ

Sister Mary Kay teaches Junior Theology at Archbishop Carroll. When there is an opportunity, she also works with Heartful Ministries giving retreats, planning prayer for conferences and writing for Liturgical Training Publications.