Last summer I tried my hand a sculling, which is actually rowing a narrow boat (called a shell) through the water backwards. I like to row at the YMCA, and I had been watching these New England men gliding across the Back Shore, so I wanted to try.
In just a few strokes I fell off the boat. The water was cold. I made my swim of shame slowly back to the boat house, where the teenagers working there gave me a towel and tried not to laugh.
I read somewhere that “Life is Art...and Art is hard!” In this case rowing is Art and clearly more difficult than I imagined. So I took a class this past Spring at Lake Purdy (yes they do that) and tried to row again this Summer.
There are many rules. Oars must always touch water. Back is straight, with legs extended and arms just so. Timing is key.
And once you’ve learned it all, you must forget. Better still, you must stop thinking about the technical part and sail. Swoosh.
I row each day now.
I think faith is like that, or it can be. We are raised with Church traditions and the creed and the Ten Commandments and the Sacraments, and all of these are important to learn. But at some point we must Live our faith, day to day, resting on the foundations of religion but being present in the Kingdom of God everywhere. It’s not easy, but Art never is. Faith is Art. Swoosh.
Rich
