Hello dear one,
Did you ever go white water rafting? I did once and it was quite a life lesson. You see not long after starting down the river, Jim, Todd, and I lost control of our raft and flipped, losing our paddles in the process. Our guide had to fetch our paddles while we made our way to the riverbank and once again climbed into our raft. With both hands, I clasped tall weeds on the bank and refused to let go despite a few choice, not so kind or repeatable words from Jim. He reminded me that going on this trip was my idea in the first place and to buck up! I could hear the next set of rapids roaring ferociously.
“I choose to stay here,” I pronounced quite firmly. Then, the guide told me I could choose to walk through the woods alone and there were lots of snakes and critters there, or I could continue down the river to the waiting bus to take us back to our cars. I chose to let go and tackle the rapids again. Would love to tell you the rest of the trip was uneventful, however, we hit a double waterfall, overturned the raft and, this time, in quite deep water. Jim was rescued first, the kids next, and because I’m a somewhat strong swimmer, I was lassoed to a tree till they could get another guide to save me. However, about noon, we came to calm waters and a picnic on the riverbank. Such joy I have never experienced. Such beautiful calm water for a lovely swim. A peace I joyfully embraced.
Life is such an adventure. We can hold tightly to the shore, but we miss the experience of trusting the process. And we never discover the calm, promised peace until we go deeper into the waters of life. It’s a faith journey. Let go and experience the breadth and depth of all life. There is no joy in grasping tightly to the shore, but there is a blessing waiting for you, a catch in deep waters. Let go and discover yours.
Linda