MY FRIEND, FATHER JOHN, shared an image with me which needs to be passed on - when we feel that our lives, for all their turmoil, sidetracking, ups and downs and hard challenges are not pleasing to God.
Two sea captains have the job of ferrying people across a great body of water. The first captain sails his ship on a bright sunny day, the sea calm and lovely, the air warm and pleasant. The second captain maneuvers his ship through a tremendous storm of high winds and frightening waves - a seasick-making crossing. But for all the difficulty, the ship and passengers are safely delivered.
Which passengers will be happier and more grateful? The second of course. Can we imagine God, all the more pleased for our having navigated our own life-crossing with the stresses, ups and downs and even (perhaps) sickening aspects of our lives?
Sometimes I'm awakened at night with thoughts of the mistakes of my youth. I must remember this image then: God, appreciative for the rough crossing.
Two sea captains have the job of ferrying people across a great body of water. The first captain sails his ship on a bright sunny day, the sea calm and lovely, the air warm and pleasant. The second captain maneuvers his ship through a tremendous storm of high winds and frightening waves - a seasick-making crossing. But for all the difficulty, the ship and passengers are safely delivered.
Which passengers will be happier and more grateful? The second of course. Can we imagine God, all the more pleased for our having navigated our own life-crossing with the stresses, ups and downs and even (perhaps) sickening aspects of our lives?
Sometimes I'm awakened at night with thoughts of the mistakes of my youth. I must remember this image then: God, appreciative for the rough crossing.
