The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. – John 1:4 (NLT)
Personal
Waving on the River
Recently my family and I had the opportunity to spend a day on the Ocklawaha River. We loaded up the pontoon boat with fishing rods and tackle, lunch fixin to graze through and the family.
We launched the boat at the ramp and started to cruise down the river. I’m sitting in my usual seat, the front chair of the pontoon boat. The wind is blowing through my hair, the sun is shinning on my face, and the water is gurgling along side, it’s a happy day.
I love water. I was born under the sign of pisces, if you believe in that sort of thing. And although I don’t put much stock in the horoscope business, I must admit that I am at my happiest when I’m around water. You can ask my husband, I can get down right cranky if I don’t get to a lake or ocean ever so often. When that happens, he knows to go dunk me in somewhere in the closest watering hole to keep peace in the family.
Cruising down the Ocklawaha River
As we’re cruising along, we met another boat travel towards us. It’s a young couple with a small child cinched up tight in a life jacket. The couple waves as we pass each other. We raise our hands in mutual greeting, as is the custom, and it strikes me that I cant think of another place where you get such friendliness with total strangers anymore. I wonder where this unspoken tradition comes from. Sadly, it probably used to be that way everywhere. Walking along your neighborhood or perhaps on a busy sidewalk, you’d pass an unfamiliar face and say hello. But today it seems, we don’t have time for a smile and wave. We’re all too busy getting where we’re going to be bothered with friendliness. We’ve got a schedule, places to be, people to see. When did we get so busy that we forgot to be a neighbor to our neighbor?
It’s nice to see we haven’t lost that bond on the water. Maybe because it’s such a relaxing place. If you’re spending the day out on the water, you just feel better. Things are slower. Perhaps we can slip into a “nicer” version of ourselves.
By the end of the day, we had caught a few fish, laughed often and enjoyed the company of family. Part of me regretted having to head back in. It was so tranquil, so peaceful out among the cypress trees and lilly-pads, that it was easy to let go of the stress of every day life. I feared that once among the concrete, calendars and chores, I would loose my peace. I guess that’s up to me. I can choose to keep my peace and cherish the memories of a great day. I can also choose to take the river’s peacefulness and traditions with me… smile at a stranger, even take a chance and say, “Have a great day!” Who knows, fishing just might make the world a better place.
Adrift
It’s late afternoon. Our journey starts in the Charleston Harbor. It’s a beautiful day. Our passage awaits.
Jon and I settle into a comfortable spot. Introductions are made, and without further delay, The Pride, ready to burst from her moorings, is released. The riggings are pulled and sails are cast to fly off into the gentle breezes. The Pride stretches out to find the ancient rhythm of the sea.
Adrift in the salty waters of the harbor, we watch the shoreline slowly recede from our view. As the land starts to fade, the stress rolls away like the waters that pass beneath us. For I am here with my love. He sits beside me and smiles. We drift along the careless wind, easily, happily, in love. Our day on the sea is a birthday present for both of us.
My handsome husband assists the crew with the sails and I watch his strong arms tugging on the ropes. Knowing that he is loving every moment at sea as much as I.
We have visitors. The dolphins are here to play. They glide through the waters catching the last rays of light, frolicking and singing their songs to us. I wonder if they are as curious about us as we are about them. How I long to reach out and touch their silky smooth bodies and let them know they’ve made a friend.
The clanking of the riggings against the mask seems to have made time stand still, the gentle ringing has suspended time as if in a dream, a dream that we never want to wake from. For this drifting paradise that my love and I share is so timeless. So wonderful.
The sun starts to slink down into the city, out of view. Charleston’s skyline is center stage. The sky becomes an explosion of color as the blues fade to purple, magenta, orange, and then a fiery red. Nature at it’s best. The clouds try to capture it’s magnificent beauty, holding on to the moment, attempting to steal one more glance of God’s awesome work. But the sun waits for no one, and slips away.
The breeze blows across my face, smoothing the lines of stress until they fade away like the sun. My lungs fill with the salty fresh air and are reborn. The gentle knocking of the waters on the bow sing to my heart. He feels it too. I can see the lightness it brings to his soul. His eyes dance with the rhythm of the waves.
We watch as our boat makes a turn and we start heading back. How we long to stay here with our new friends, adrift in paradise. For the wind has learned our names, and the sails have captured our hearts.
(Charleston, SC trip April 2006)
Turning 39
What an awful sounding number. It’s on the precipice of something bigger. That next number could sound even worse. If I let it.
I’m not going to let numbers bother me. I feel good. I am blessed.
I have a wonderful husband that is my handsome soulmate. He’s my guardian and protector, companion and friend. It amazes me how close we are, how easy the conversations, and sometimes even our thoughts and words come at the same time. He completes me. He balances my idiosyncrasies, and keeps my world from spinning out of control. The best, is that he walks the same path as me with Jesus. Our priorities are clear: God first, our relationship second, and then everything else. Every day with him is a blessing.
My family is awesome. Two beautiful children came into my life and changed it forever. They keep me young and silly. What more could I ask for? My sunshine, Kailey, is ever-giggling, ever-loving. My tall one, Brandt, is turning into a fine young man. I am blessed and enjoy each day I have with them.
My friends. They are savored like a fine wine. Some are sweet and crisp like a springtime breeze, others are robust and full of promise, some are sparkling, some have a lingering tenderness that warms my heart. All are loved beyond measure for the compassion and honesty they bring to the table. I am blessed.
My job amazes me every day. To be a part of such a wonderful team of fellow Christ-Followers, each striving to fulfill a desire to build a kingdom for God. Blessings abound each and every day, with every task, every co-worker, every opportunity to change a life. To become a blessing to others, is a blessing in itself.
Last but certainly not least. My Alpha and Omega. The Leader of my life. My life was forever changed the day Jesus came into my heart. My Savior walks with me every day. I grow closer to Him with each prayer. The time spent in His Word embellishes my life. The tug of His loving spirit, makes my heart overflow. His grace and love is beyond compare. My soul wants to sing of His righteousness and beauty. My Savior left the comforts of heaven, walked on this earth, spread His light into the world, and died for me. For me. I am truly blessed.
39 is just a number.
I'm SO glad that […]
3 years ago