You Can't Fall Down

“You can fall, but you can’t lie down.”

Last summer I was introduced to Dougie MacLean, a Scottish singer /songwriter.

The song that caught my attention was “Not Lie Down,” and the lyrics that I picked up on were:

“You can fall but you must not lie down.” 

That phrase caught my attention as we traveled by bus on the road to Inverness. It was something

I needed to hear at the time. We (I) were having challenges in our lives. 

I needed to hear that it’s OK to stumble. It’s OK if everything doesn’t get done. It’s OK if plans

have to be changed. It’s OK if....

It’s OK to stumble. But don’t lie down. That’s letting go of the future. That’s letting go of the

opportunity to make things “more right” tomorrow. It’s giving up.

I watched the movie “Everest” recently. It’s about a 1986 expedition to Mt. Everest that resulted

in several deaths. As the climbers made their way on the mountain, there were plenty of

stumbles, but everyone knew that if they lay down, it was the end.

It’s OK to stumble. But if you stand with the one who never falls then there is safety.

Welcome our upcoming Easter, and the one who is by us always, when we stumble and

especially when we struggle to get back up.

A Gaelic Prayer

As the rain hides the stars,

as the autumn mist

hides the hills,

as the clouds veil

the blue of the sky,

so the dark happenings of my lot

hide the shining of your face from me.

Yet, if I may hold your hand in the darkness,

it is enough since I know,

that though I may stumble in my going, you do not fall.

Ann Iona Warner