I Just Wanna Fly

I had just turned 13 and I took to skiing like I had been born to it.  Every first run the feeling is the same – the cool wind in my face, and the sense that I am nearly flying – oh, the FREEDOM!!!!

The day before my last birthday, I decided to try zip-lining.  Now, I have wanted to zip-line for a while and my goal was to do it in some exotic place like Costa Rica.  However, an opportunity came along while I was in Las Vegas and well…..I took it!  You can watch me in this brief video my husband took.  I am the flyer on the far left coming out of the gate. 

I didn’t know the people I was “flying” with, but because I was by myself they (and the staff) were consoling me, telling me not to be scared.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I was not scared AT ALL!  I was totally calm.  While they were strapping me in I decided I would position my body to fly like I had always dreamed – with my arms out to my sides.  As the gate opened and the cable jerked us forward, I pushed myself off the mat we had been suspended over so that I could go faster. 

It was exactly how I imagined – and it was even better than skiing!  By the end of the flight I had tears in my eyes – not because it was cold (because it was) but because it was such a beautiful experience – I felt so free!  I felt so ME!

What I learned:  Some people know they are born to be in the water; some know they are born to be on stage.  I learned I was born to fly.  Perhaps one day I’ll sprout wings or I’ll obtain some super power, but until then, I guess I’ll just continue to fly in my dreams……and plan another zip-lining excursion.

What were you meant to do?  What makes you feel free?

~Tessa L. Charles

“I want to fly like an eagle, to the sea, fly like an eagle let my spirit carry me, I want to fly like an eagle, till I’m free….” – Steve Miller

Jubilee

Well, it finally happened.  A couple of weeks ago I reached the half-century mark.  I will be honest and say I was dreading it.  But then again, each time I have hit a decade, I have dreaded it.  My best friend is a mere 4 days older than I and she seems to handle each decade with much more certainty than I do and I admire this about her.  I tried to embrace “The Big Five-O” with grace, but maybe by the next decade I’ll do better.

In any case, she had a big 5 day long party in Las Vegas and she extended her celebration to include me.  It was a wonderful and raucous way to fling me, kicking and screaming, into our fifties.

What I learned:  In the Bible, every 50 years is called a Jubilee Year.  In the year of Jubilee, captives and slaves are set free, property that has been sold or lost in debt is returned to its original owners, and all debts are forgiven.

And so I claim this for myself and all those of my friends who are turning 50 this year.  The time for mourning has passed and now it’s time to have some fun.  Ashes have been traded in for beauty!  We ARE set free and all debts have been forgiven.  Now, I look forward to this Jubilee and all the yearlong celebrations that come with it!  Woo hooo!

"The Lord God has put his Spirit in me, because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor.  He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken, to tell the captives they are free, and to tell the prisoners they are released.  He has sent me to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness and the time when our God will punish evil people.  He has sent me to comfort all those who are sad and to help the sorrowing people of Jerusalem.  I will give them a crown to replace their ashes, and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness."  Isaiah 61:1-3 NCV