The Wait…

There are moments and even seasons when we have no choice but to “wait it out.” Sometimes, we are powerless over our challenges. Solutions elude us, and we become overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed especially if the situation or change is irrevocable. Scripture speaks of waiting and then waiting some more for the Lord’s intervention inContinue reading “The Wait…”

Navigating the journey

Navigating life is like navigating the Stonington thoroughfare. It requires certain skills, awareness of potential hazards, and alertness to the dynamics of the moment as we weave our way through life’s challenges. Although our lives hold the possibility for much happiness and joy, these can be siderailed by complicated relationships, misplaced priorities, personal weaknesses, theContinue reading “Navigating the journey”

Has the Light Gone Out?

I love watching sails slip by this old lighthouse and can easily romanticize its many stories as it sits on Mark island within rowing distance of Winter Harbor, Maine. Sadly, it is now a privately owned landmark and is no longer an active beacon warning, guiding or welcoming weary sailors and fishermen seeking safe harborContinue reading “Has the Light Gone Out?”

Illusions

Have you ever reached a long pursued goal, one which you imagined and idealized and in which you invested time, energy, and dreams? Maybe it was a career move, a promotion, a relationship, an academic degree, some accolade, social status, or wealth? However, the achievement did not meet expectations nor its anticipated happiness! Emptiness, disappointment,Continue reading “Illusions”

Controlling the Winds…

Winds blow! Seas rise! Sails billow! Boats move! But without a rudder boats flounder. Controlling the rudder determines the direction in which the ships slips along. James, the brother of Jesus (when speaking about the power of the tongue) said , “…a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go,Continue reading “Controlling the Winds…”

Calm Winds, Easy Seas, and Full Sails

Calm winds, easy seas, and full sails bring to mind the Message’s paraphrase of Psalm 84:12! All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory.He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions. It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies. (MSG) To those who have been through deep waters of hurt and suffering orContinue reading “Calm Winds, Easy Seas, and Full Sails”

Journeying Through the Mist

The day was promising, the forecast favorable. The sun was burning it’s way through lifting fog. All information pointed to a good sailing day. The Captain gave the order. So the sails were hoisted. Decision making is a familiar, daily but complicated process although it may be either instantaneous or prolonged depending on urgency orContinue reading “Journeying Through the Mist”

A Promise for Safe Passage

Someone has said that “A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not where it is meant to be…” Sometimes safety is prudent, and “sticking close to home” is wise when we are unable to fully define the course ahead. However, timidity can be diminishing. Our personal world will not expand until we pushContinue reading “A Promise for Safe Passage”

Optimistic?All the Time?

Undaunted by fog and inclement weather, the captain of this sailing vessel has confidently hoisted his sails; his ship is underway despite minimal visibility and the hidden danger of unseen harbor islands, shoals, and lobster boats. Undoubtedly, the captain’s knowledge, skill, and experiences contribute to his optimism. In today’s world, division, negativity, and depression frequentlyContinue reading “Optimistic?All the Time?”

The Wideness of the Sea…

It’s breezing up, and these day sailors are heading out where nothing but ocean waters and vast skies stretch from horizon to horizon; out where human insignificance and fragility become a reality; out where our imaginations reach to God’s greatness. “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy/like the wideness of the sea…,” are words from aContinue reading “The Wideness of the Sea…”