Are you awaiting a launch? A new career? Motherhood? Fatherhood? Relationships? A new season in your life? New technology? At the beginning of the year, I planned a launch date. It is here.
While in Alaska I stepped into a cardboard “boat” with my little grandson. I’d sing, “We’re sailing, we’re sailing, we’re sailing on the water! What do you see captain?” His little body would stand with his hand planted ever so cutely on his forehead, “I see a dog,” he’d say in his precious 2-year-old voice. He was excited to launch…everyday! As I gazed at his tiny newborn sister, I thought of the world that they, along with their sweet cousin in Washington, will experience; so much launching ahead. During my trip I experienced my first “tiny” earthquake rumble, a mere glimpse of the Northern Lights, plenty of moose, and a beautiful fall that quickly turned to winter. It has been more than a year since visiting Washington and seeing my precious loves there. Yet, as majestic as the scenery, nothing can hold a candle to the sight of all of them. Nothing.
My personal launches now take more intentional focus, energy, and effort. There have been times I’ve wanted to launch things across a room (particularly a cheap laptop). Innovative programs were launched. I have launched new careers. You may wonder if you even have a purpose, much less a longing to launch. You might struggle with launching out of bed due to doom and gloom that seems ever so present in media (or the opposite, complete tone-deafness to the genuine issues of humanity). You may long for a life that can no longer exist (why yes, I’d love to live on Walton’s Mountain or in a Little House on the Prairie for a bit). Maybe you rely on luck to launch you. Perhaps your purpose is paused by panic. Has melancholy muddled your mind? Do you repeatedly regurgitate regret? We all feel like this at times.
Do any of you remember the old hymn, “Love Lifted Me”? Written by James Rowe in 1912, the lyrics refer to Jesus in the book of Matthew. He walked on water, saved Peter from drowning, AND calmed the storm on the sea. While working on my new launch (after a safe landing from Alaska), I tweaked the title just a bit, singing happily, thinking of my grandmas and all my family around the piano, “When nothing else could help, love launched me!” Isn’t it true though…what a little love can do? My tank is full. I am ready to launch.
Flannel with Faith 
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