Smooth Sailing

Kathy Sporre ♦ March 19, 2020 ♦ 14 Comments

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS – Be mindful of how you feel! Engage in mindfulness activities such as yoga and tai chi; talk with your doctor or counselor if you’re feeling blue.

SPIRITUAL WELLNESS – Connect with your spirit! Use ways that are meaningful to you – whether that’s through your place of worship, prayer, or meditation.

One late summer evening, when the water on the lake was as smooth as glass, my husband said, “Let’s take the sailboat out.” Wanting to break in the motor on our Kenner Kittiwake, Patriot, it seemed like a good time to accomplish the task. At least we wouldn’t be enticed to unfurl the sail and silently navigate our way around the lake the way we love to do.

When we had finally motored over to the uninhabited side of the lake, the motor sputtered and slowed, then finally quit running. Not only did it stop running, but it was beyond resuscitation. There was not another boat in sight, and the warm sun was setting below the horizon.

It was a mere moment later that I saw signs of a light breeze on the water. The ripples were moving ever so slowly in our direction where we sat motionless – like a knick-knack in a china cabinet. I calmly told my husband to let the sail out. Slowly, the sail filled with the stealthy, benevolent breeze I saw approaching just moments before.

It carried us gently back to our mooring, at which point the breeze disappeared. Again, we sat motionless on a lake of glass. We were astonished and amazed.

It was one of those magical moments in life. I would have missed it had I been fighting against our predicament or complaining about what at first appeared to be a misfortune. In the calm where I rested, within and without, I was aware enough to spot the distinctive yet small ripples on the water that promised rescue by a soft, yet sufficient breeze.

Being calm, aware, and present in the moment was necessary to receive this blessing. And the ability to master this calm presence is one of the gifts I have received through the refinement that only age and faith can bring.

Have you missed magical moments during an outburst over a change in circumstances or a misfortune of some kind? Did a breeze pass you by without notice and leave you stranded?

In times of trouble, I have learned that I am often better off to be still. Only then can I hear the still, small voice or see the small, silent ripples that speak to me of hope and rescue from my current circumstances.

Shhh. Be watchful and listen.

*    “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:16 (NIV)

**  “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (KJV)

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV)

YouTube Video: Be Still and Know by Stephen Curtis Chapman