Open Water

I have not been on a small craft in the ocean or on a large lake in many years. But I do remember! I watch from the comfort of my hotel patio. I watch commercial fishing boats; however, I image myself sitting next to the single man in a much smaller craft pitching up and crashing down as each choppy wave passes under the craft. I am mesmerized by the haunting memories of being alone in nature’s fury.

Violent, gale force winds toss my tiny bit of driftwood I am in. Sometimes it seems as if there is more water in my boat than what surrounds me. From the warmth of my sunbaked patio, I shudder, remembering the chill of being wet to the bone. I become hypnotized again by memories of being in this cradle of life safe in the hands of our loving God.

I am the mystic consumed by the reality of life, rocking casually but a moment later tossed in the open seas of life. Mystically, I accept the reality of life, recognizing that this life is indeed holy. I cannot divorce my God-protected life from the man-made suffering and God’s goodness and grace. I am firmly a living part of my eternal spiritual soul and my time-limited mortal body martyred with the rest of mankind.

I cling to my life walking the lighted path that God has opened for me. I cling to my love for my fellow man (and woman), but I recognize my love of the lives they live for they walk their own God-given lighted paths. My adventurous lifelong comfort is knowing that my life and your life, although different, is in the healing arms of God. We are all sons and daughters of our Loving God, brothers and sisters sailing on the open waters of life.