undignified

so I had my last swimming lesson for the year this evening.... 

I have to say that swimming lessons have been a massive challenge. As an overweight woman in her 40's, the idea of being seen in public in my bathers is bad enough, let alone having a lesson in a public swimming pool. Well, I have survived the regular embarrassment and gained some confidence in my swimming skills. I'm slowly on my way to getting fit.

This evening, my instructor, Maddy, announced that instead of a normal lesson, we would be cutting it short to have a game of volley ball, then have a go on the water slides! Eeek!

True to her word, the lesson ended early and Maddy marched us off to the kids pool for a game of volleyball. It was fun and great exercise. But there I was jumping around in a public place in my bathers (ugh!) 

Finally, she announced that it was time for the water slide. She wasn't kidding! She really wanted us to have a go. I have never been on a water slide before. Ever.

First of all, there's the whole bathers-in-public thing, ...then there's the loss of control / undignified thing. Two good reasons to avoid them. 

But tonight, I was confronted with the challenge of having a go. I am very proud to say that I did it! 

It was exciting, exhilarating, uncontrollable, fun and very very undignified! 

I don't want to know what I looked like when I came out the end of the slide and hit the water with a huge splash! It didn't matter. Everyone was having fun and laughing and being just as undignified. I went back for two more turns!

On the way home, the words of Matt Redman's song, Undignified popped into my head.

Inspired by the Bible verse 2 Samuel 6, the lyrics are:

I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering the passion in my soul
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering the passion in my soul

And I’ll become even more undignified than this
(some would say its foolishness but)
I’ll become even more undignified than this
Matt Redman

Joseph Neil Adams writes more about this here 

This evening I experienced unexpected undignified joy. 

May my praise for my King be even more undignified! 

May I be brave enough to express myself freely in worship without being concerned about what others might be thinking.