As a swimming coach for people with special needs, I have the privilege of working with swimmers of all ages. Without question I receive more than I give from this experience, which has spanned over ten years. Our swimmers have gone on to compete at

national and international levels – often winning their events.

Recently I was helping a swimmer who is blind prepare for competi- tion. We tried a number of ways to assist her, but the best was to have a coach get ahead of her in the pool and talk to her. She could hear his voice and swim in that direction, allowing her to learn and then finally successfully compete. Because she could not see the wall of the pool, in competition we extended a tennis ball on a long pole to alert her that she was approaching the wall so that she would not hit her head as she finished.

God also walks in front of me and gives me direction. While I am not always aware of it, I do know that he is present and caring. When I can hear God’s voice I progress more rapidly, feel better about myself and accomplish more. Sometimes I miss the ‘tennis ball on a stick’ and crash into walls. Even then, however, I am uplifted by the knowledge that God will be with me when I try again.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for walking in front of us and showing us the way. And, when we fail, thanks for staying with us as we try again. Amen