Winter is trying to shove Spring back like a big brother trying to shoulder bump his younger sibling out go the way. I lay in the V berth listening to the howling of the wind as the lines creak under the strain of the gusts. It’s Monday, although that shouldn’t matter in retirement life but somehow one never shakes the Monday thing. My routine every morning is pretty much the same. I prop myself up, grab my phone and open my Jesus Calling ebook to see what He has to say to me this morning, heeding advice once given me, “Don’t speak to anyone in the morning until you have spoke to Jesus”. It is amazing how absolutely spot-on those reading can be, how they always speak to something that is happening in my life. Today is no different. There are so many people in need of our prayers. So many struggles I hope He will ease. So many burdens I pray he will lighten.
I then pick up my “Streams in the Desert” daily devotional, a gift from a dear friend years ago, and flip to today’s reading. This reading, with its references to wind and seas really speaks to me in the quiet comfort of my trawler bunk with the gale force wind whipping outside. And this is one I chose to share:
An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms we must do one thing, for there is only one way to survive: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” And this dear Christian, is what you must do.
Sometimes, like Paul, you cannot see the sun or the stars to help you navigate when the storm is bearing down on you. This is when you can do only one thing, for there is only one way. Reason cannot help you, past experiences will shed no light, and even prayer will bring no consolation. Only one course remains: you must put your soul in one position and keep it there.Â
You must anchor yourself steadfastly upon the Lord. And then, come what may-whether wind, waves, rough seas, thunder, lightning, jagged rocks, or roaring breakers-you must lash yourself to the helm, firmly holding your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant promises, and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Â Richard Fuller
Mike and I often use our trawler lifestyle as a metaphor for our journey through life. Our vessel isn’t glamorous. She’s not quick or slick or sexy. But when the seas get rough and the winds pick up she takes the waves as they come. A trawler cuts through the swells and rights herself in the current, making herself ready for the next wave. Sort of how my morning devotional does for me. So until tomorrow I’ll keep clinging to the rail and trusting in our ship to keep me on course until the wind subsided and the sun once again begins to shine.
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