Captivated Me

She sits, reflects, clear eyes tracing the ground from her feet toward the horizon.
Focusing one moment on the past, with its memories and lessons and ironies;
And now one moment on the present, this precious gift so fleeting;
And now one moment on the future, ripe with promise and possibility;
And now on God’s faithfulness weaving each moment together.

And she is learning all along
That any worthwhile endeavor requires great risk,
Bringing with it the prospect of enduring pain,
Of encountering rejection,
Of eventual loss.

And she is learning all along
That the risk itself is worthwhile
As it calls her to courage and discovery,
To whole-heartedness and vulnerability,
To rise and fall and rise again.

And she is learning all along
That she herself is worthwhile
No matter what comes or goes,
No matter who stays or leaves,
No matter where or when or why.

And she is learning all along.