Life is hard for all of us at times. The other day I met one of my neighbors who had sold his house and was about to move after a series of very difficult events in his life. I hadn’t seen him in about a year, but I saw him that day and it wasn’t by accident. Our conversation reminded me of a personal allegory I started writing during the pandemic. I’d been saving it until the right time to finish it. This is for him and for all of us.
My lifeboat was battered and taking on water. I could barely lift my sails. They were torn and threadbare, unable to hold the wind. God heard my prayers for help and in His kindness took me from the open seas and into a safe harbor. He put my lifeboat into drydock, lifting it out of the water for a season. He knew the right amount of time I needed to rest and get the repairs I needed.
He fixed the holes and stopped the leaks that were dragging me under and slowly making me sink. He fixed the rudder so I could stay on course and not drift off. He gave me a better compass than my own, which was broken – it was His Word and wisdom to guide me. Little by little, God also placed the supplies I would need in the heart of my boat. He already knew what I needed to get to my next port and made sure I had enough.
When I was ready and my lifeboat was whole again, He relaunched it so gently I was already a little distance from shore when I realized I was back in the water. He tested it for safety before I went back out to sea. Were the repairs enough? Would I stay on course, now wiser from what I had learned?
Soon after, I left the harbor with the wind in my new sails, stronger than I was before. Other boats were leaving at the same time and we sailed out together.
The ultimate journey leads to Heaven, just over the horizon and always towards the Son.
RESET HIGHER: Thinking about your own life, has it ever taken an unexpected turn that was ultimately for your own good? Are you there now? God gets our attention in such personal ways because He loves us. Learn all you can in the harbor before you sail on…
© 2024 Linda Carlberg
Photo Credit: RL Theis / Envato / RT
Such a beautiful, calming analogy … a safe harbor when we need those necessary life repairs, strengthening, and perhaps a new route. A time to reflect, learn, recharge, and go out stronger and wiser than when we came in. In the water again, moving towards the Son. Thank you, Linda, lovely words to reflect on during our time of waiting.