Post by Les Brewer on May 24, 2013 18:45:05 GMT
CANOEING ON SUGAR CREEK
Years ago we were on a camping trip with a couple of our grand daughters. We enjoy camping and canoeing. So we packed a lunch one morning then drove to the canoe rental and rented a canoe for the day. It was a beautiful summer day and the canoe trip down Sugar Creek was pleasurable. However, as we continued down stream the waters started to get rough as we approached rapids, now a previously calming atmosphere turned into a time of maneuvering and navigating. The grand daughters were screaming because another canoe had hit a hard bend and the two ladies onboard had been dumped into the waters. The girls about 5 & 4 at the time; were filled with the fear of our canoe also being overcome by the rapids.
At this point we hit some water we could not negotiate and the canoe turned on its side and we went into the water. At this point I grabbed my two grand daughters by the waist and hoist them both up standing there as Wendy also gained her footing. The two girls in my grip were screaming wildly and yelling something about drowning. I convinced them they had nothing to worry about as I was standing in water barely above my knees in height. Once they realized they were not in danger they quit their frantic screaming and jerking commotions as I sat them down on semi-dry land.
Then I attended to getting the canoe out of the water after chasing it down, and got it ready to board and continue our trip down stream, which was free of incident and again very pleasurable and enjoyable again, then we landed at our destination being enriched by the our experience together. Many mishaps can be opportunities to be bonding experiences. I look back on this experience and think about our loving Father God and how much he cares for us.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 KJV
When we come to Christ, so to speak we begin to camp on Sugar Creek, it is a pleasant and enjoyable place, then when we want to journey or start the sojourn of our spiritual experience, we get into the canoe of God’s will. Sometimes that journey will take us through some very beautiful and tranquil places where peace is the essence of the atmosphere, then unforeseen waters, more rapid, more rugged, and uncontrollable suddenly appear in the midst and we are drawn swiftly into them before we have a chance to change the direction or turn from the impending dangers.
However, even though his will may find us in peril, or even danger of injury or death, God lifts us up out of the circumstance, calms us with his assurances and holds us up and carries us to a safe and sound place where our footing will be sure again. A place we can regain composure, a place we can reassess our surroundings, and a place to restart the journey knowing his providence is with us. I love this song which cries out to God:
“ Lord lift us up where we belong,
Where the eagles fly on a mountain high,
Lord lift us up where we belong,
Up from the world we know,
Where the clear winds blow”
God is an ever present help in time of need, we should always remember He is in the Canoe of Life’s Journeys with us. He will lead us and guide us by His Spirit if we allow him to do so. Let us Remember he will lift us up and carry us out by the right hand of his righteousness. Therefore never fear Spiritual Camping & Canoeing; those things prove to bond our relationship instead of severe it. We grow closer through the things we endure together.
Agape Y’all!
Ray………………
