From Sewing Stitches to Swimming Strokes

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” —Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

It's me and Mary in the pool

It was crunch time, and our sewing machines were humming away.

We were up to our elbows sewing costumes for my church’s big Easter production, and the final dress rehearsal was only a few days away. My mind was filled with fabric, fittings, unfinished seams and everything that still needed to be completed.

So, I was only half paying attention when one of my sewing students—and new friends—casually mentioned that she could teach me how to swim.

Ahhhhh…learning to swim in my late 40s.

I looked up from my sewing machine and paused.

Could I really learn how to swim at this age?

I didn’t tell Mary that I had signed up for adult swimming lessons in my 20's at the local YMCA—twice. Both times, I quit around the fourth week because I simply could not get the hang of it.

It was especially unnerving to watch children who barely reached my knees having the time of their lives. They floated, backstroked and front-crawled across the pool as if they had been born with fins. Meanwhile, I could barely get my legs to rise behind me!

But Mary was calm, reassuring and positive. She offered to teach me during the summer months. There was no pressure and no grand presentation. She simply offered me an opportunity, and all I had to do was say yes.

So I did.

I accepted her offer while quietly wondering whether she truly understood what she was signing up for: teaching a black woman over 40 who had previously sunk like a rock!

Honestly, though, I didn’t give it a lot more thought. Summer was still a few months away, and we had Easter costumes to finish.

God Sent Mary

I love thinking about how this story began because learning to swim had been sitting quietly on my internal bucket list for years. I wanted to learn, but I wasn’t sure I ever would.

Then God sent Mary—unassuming, patient and willing to teach me.

This summer, Mary and I met almost every day for 90 minutes. She patiently, graciously and lovingly taught me how to swim.

And believe me, she had her work cut out for her.

I swallowed water, got water trapped in my ears and floundered around the pool. I thrashed. I splashed. I panicked in deep water. But through it all, Mary continued to encourage me.

She cheered me on as I became more confident and stronger in the water.

God used Mary to remind me that it is never too late to learn something new. He also showed me how beautifully He expresses His love through kind, gentle and compassionate people—sometimes through people we would never expect.

The Student Became the Teacher

Mary originally came into my life as a student. She enrolled in a paid 14-week sewing class, where my fellow instructors and I taught her beginner sewing skills.

Then, during the summer, the student became the teacher.

Mary freely offered her experience as a swim instructor to help me accomplish something I had been unable to do on my own.

Isn’t that just like God?

We may believe we have entered someone’s life to teach, lead or serve them, only to discover that God has placed something inside them that we need too.

Relationships are not always one-directional. Sometimes we pour into others, and sometimes God allows them to pour right back into us.

We simply have to remain humble and open enough to receive.

Grace Still Requires a Yes

I started the summer not knowing how to swim. By the end of the season, I have gained the basic skills needed to survive and make my way across the pool. I learned to float, tread water, doggie paddle and swim in both shallow and deep water.

I am incredibly grateful.

Mary never appeared frustrated—even though I’m sure I gave her plenty of opportunities. She was gracious and encouraging every day. She willingly gave her time, meeting me at 7:30 in the morning so we could splash, thrash and eventually swim.

God provided the teacher, but I still had a decision to make:

Would I make time for the lessons?

Would I pay for a membership at the community center?

Would I purchase a swimsuit, towel, goggles and swim cap?

Would I keep showing up when learning felt uncomfortable?

God opened the door, but I still had to walk through it.

Sometimes we pray for God to do something new, but when the opportunity arrives, it looks surprisingly ordinary. It may appear as a casual conversation, an unexpected invitation or an offer made while sewing costumes.

The opportunity may be God’s gift, but accepting it requires our participation. Faith still requires a yes.

My Yes Inspired Someone Else’s

Throughout my lessons, I have shared my swimming journey on social media. People I knew—and many I didn’t—followed my progress. Several told me that watching me learn to swim as an adult inspired them.

That gave me another idea.

I began creating a list of local adults who do not know how to swim but would like to learn. Simply from sharing my journey, nearly 20 people have asked to be contacted if Mary offers a group swimming class next spring.

Years ago, Mary taught swimming to children and adults. After experiencing a tragic event in her life, she moved away from teaching. But through our lessons, it appears that something may be awakening in her again. She seems inspired and increasingly interested in helping others learn.

Look at the flow of God!

Mary took a sewing class.

A conversation began over an Easter costume.

That conversation led to private swimming lessons.

Those lessons led me to share my journey.

My journey encouraged other adults.

Now, an entire swimming class may be born.

Only God could take a sewing machine, an Easter production and me, a woman who panicked in deep water and stitch them together into something this beautiful!

Be Open to the New Thing

God is full of surprises. I never imagined that swimming would become part of my life this year, but it has brought me joy, gratitude and greater confidence. I am excited to continue developing my skills—and possibly help create a pathway for others to learn too.

We often want God to show us His entire plan before we say yes. We want the complete itinerary, the expected outcome and confirmation that we will be comfortable at every step.

But God doesn’t always work that way.

Sometimes He simply invites us to flow with Him.

His new thing may begin with something small and unexpected. It may come through a new friendship, an unfamiliar opportunity or an old dream you assumed had expired. It may require you to become a beginner again, to look awkward for a while and to trust someone God has placed in your path.

I pray you will be open. Teachable and willing to start again or start anew.

You never know where one simple yes may lead.

Who knew I would become a swimmer because of a conversation held over the sound of sewing machines while preparing costumes for an Easter play?

God knew.

And He may already be preparing a surprising new thing for you too.

(Check out my first swimming lesson with Mary)

https://youtube.com/shorts/-NC_O-RF97I?si=0CP5BgCemJNaf-zd

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope . I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that provides services for those battling substance abuse and those impacted by incarceration. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.

PS Friends: I've recently published a NEW book called War On the Floor. This book is for those with a loved one who is deep in addiction. It's a collection of prayers to help you remain focused and strengthened as you believe God for breakthrough. There is truly power in prayer! Order your copy today.