Share The Good News

This weekend my sister and brother-in-law came into town. I had been hoping that they would be open to trying standup paddle boarding and letting me teach them how to do so. The weather was so nice when they got in on Thursday (unlike the rest of their time here), so we headed down to the marina.

When I first told my sister about standup paddle boarding, her immediate response was, "I'm sure I would fall in the water if I tried it." But guess what, she didn't fall in and in fact really enjoyed it. My brother-in-law loved it and is already doing online research for all the places back home where he can rent a board again.

My sister is a creature of habit, not because she's close-minded, but just because once she finds something she likes, she sticks with it. This is why each time she comes to visit me, I try to introduce her to new and different things from her previous visit. Otherwise, she would continue going to the same places each time she comes to town.

Another new thing I shared with my sister and her husband this weekend was the church I've been
attending since April. In today's sermon, the pastor talked about sharing the Good News with other people, many of whom are seeking something to fill a void in their lives but do not know that Jesus can provide ultimate fulfillment. I loved the metaphors the pastor used as to how to introduce others to the Good News. He said it's not about being a "moral policeman" telling people how they should and should not behave, but instead about serving as a "spiritual paramedic" who introduces the seeker to the healing power of Christ and the Good News.  

When my sister said she'd probably fall in the water if she tried paddle boarding, I didn't say, "Well, yes you will if you don't do XY&Z." Instead I said, "It's a lot of fun, it's very relaxing, and I think you'll enjoy it more than you expect to."

John 4:5-42

⁵ So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.^[a]
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” ⁸ (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” ¹¹ The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” ¹³ Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.^[b] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” ¹⁷ The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; ¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” ¹⁹ The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” ²¹ Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” ²⁵ The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” ²⁶ Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
²⁷ Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” ²⁸ So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” ³⁰ They went out of the town and were coming to him.
³¹ Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” ³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” ³³ So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. ³⁵ Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. ³⁶ Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. ³⁷ For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ ³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
³⁹ Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed because of his word. ⁴² They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

New Friends

God always seems to know when you need a friend. This week He has shown me that there are people here for me even when it doesn't feel like it. He always knows too when to introduce you to someone new who can feel like someone you've known for much longer.

Last week when paddling I got to know one of the new SUP board owners who is just as excited about standup paddle boarding as I am. We went out for a paddle together this afternoon when the water was much calmer than it was on Sunday. That calm water allowed us to talk to each other without distraction and get to know each other better.

Come to find out, we've both experienced some of the same struggles, including loss of loved ones, major career transitions, life before accepting God, and more. Even though we don't really know each other that well, we both felt like we could open up to each other and share things that we wouldn't ordinarily be as vulnerable about with other people. Maybe we felt we could open up because of the calming effect water has on our spirits or because we are sisters in Christ, or both. Either way, God knows when we need a friend and He is there to provide.

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. Baltasar Gracian

The Lord Shall Renew Your Strength

Today was an extremely windy day on the river! Even more so than it was on Labor Day. My board was bouncing on top of the white-cap waves.

I started out going against the wind because I wanted a less fatiguing tailwind during the last leg of my paddle. I would paddle with as much strength as I could and felt like I hadn't even moved an inch. Instead, I felt like I just kept getting pushed back by the wind. In fact, if I stopped moving my paddle for just one second, the wind would blow my board 180 degrees and start pushing me the opposite direction I was trying to go. My legs started to feel like Jell-O. The waves were so strong that my board almost capsized. I was praying that not only would I not fall off my board but that I also wouldn't lose control of it and crash into the rocks.

This is kind of how I've been feeling about my business lately. In trying to do things in my own strength, I quickly lose energy and easily get turned around. I realize that I have to just let go and let God work in His strength instead of my own, and trust Him to lead me in the right direction. 

"The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

Jumping Fish

 

The most fascinating thing (at least to me) happened while paddling this evening. Once the sun reached a certain point in the sky while setting, fish started jumping our of the water. I don't mean the occasional few jumping out of the water like I normally see on the river. I mean so many jumping out that it looked like it was raining fish all around me. It was pretty cool.

Lately I've been feeling like I'm not getting the results of the efforts I've been putting into my business. In fact I feel a bit like Peter and his fellow fishermen when they went out to the Sea of Galilee and caught nothing (John 21). But then Jesus told them to let down their nets one more time and this time the nets were overflowing with fish jumping into them. It was at this time Jesus started to change Peter's occupation from fisherman to evangelist. I can't help but sense Jesus is about to show me a significant change in my business or even my career. We'll see!

God Is My Help

Where I store and launch my board from, there is a sensor at the end of the building that, when someone floats by it on their board, a bell goes off inside the SUP shop. This alerts the workers inside that someone is coming in from a paddle and will need help getting their board out of the water and into its designated storage spot. I can get my board out of the water by myself, but trying to get it back in its storage spot is a little tough for me. Not because the board is heavy, but just because it's too long (12'6") for me to handle by myself without it being awkward and without possibly hitting other boards that are stored so close together.

Sometimes in my life, there are things going on that are just too much for me to handle by myself. If I try to handle it all by myself, I end up "dropping the ball" on things or "just hitting a wall." I am so fortunate that my Heavenly Father knows when I need help and alerts the right people to step in and be of assistance. Just like I can't hear when the bell goes off inside the SUP shop as I'm paddling in, I can't hear or know when God is getting ready to send help. I just have to trust that He has heard my cry for help or knows my need for help even before I do.

This isn't always easy though because I often have a hard time asking others for help. But I'm never ashamed or hesitant to ask God for help. I just have to remember to be open to and accepting of the help He sends me through other people.

Psalm 54:4 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

He Restores My Soul

Today was such a beautiful day. The fitness instructor at the SUP shop didn't have anyone this morning for her fitness class on the boards so she and I went out for a paddle together. It's always so nice to go out with others on a paddle because it gives us a chance to really talk and get to know each other better.

Afterward, she had more work to do and I went next door and had lunch on the restaurant's patio overlooking the harbor. Once I was done with my lunch, I just did not want to go back home. It was such a warm, sunny September day and I wanted to take advantage of it. So, I took my board back out on the river, this time solo. I paddled standing up, rowed sitting down, and floated while just laying on my board and basking in the sun. It gave me time to ponder things, talk with God, and take in the beauty.

I'm so thankful to God, both for time with others and also time alone with Him.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3

Lifting Up Our Fellows

This water has been so nice the past few days. Although slightly chilly, it's been very smooth and calm. It truly is one of the best times of year to paddle. This evening I was out on a paddle by myself and then, as I was heading back to the harbor, I saw a group that included one of the guys I work with when filling in at the SUP shop. He and his best friend had their mothers visiting and were taking them out for a paddle. They invited me to join them so I stayed out a little longer.

Since the mothers were new at paddle boarding, they were still trying to learn how to balance, and both of them ended up falling in the river. Of course the sons were laughing at their moms, but the moms were laughing too because they had such a great sense of humor about it. Then, one of the sons fell in. I laughed at him, and then immediately thought, I'm probably going in next since I'm laughing at him. And since I had just past a man standing on his dock who asked, "Isn't the water cold tonight?" and I replied with, "I don't know, I haven't been in the water," I knew it was just a matter of time.

I had gone probably four miles this evening without going in the water. In fact I've never fallen in the river, only in the harbor while practicing step turns on my board and goofing off, thoroughly expecting to end up in the water in those situations. Tonight, I was almost home free to the mouth of the harbor after my long paddle, and all of a sudden, in trying to maneuver my board past one of the sons, I went right in.

To answer the man on the dock's question, yes, the water was cold, but it was exhilarating. At this point we were all laughing at and with each other. But not only had we laughed at each other throughout the paddle, we also encouraged each other, helped each other up, and made sure each of us was okay. We all fall sometimes, but God brings people into our lives to help lift each other up, whether it's through laughter, encouragement or physical strength.

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10

Against The Wind

Like most people, I got out on the water and enjoyed Labor Day today (of course after getting a little house labor done on my day off). It was really windy though. So windy it almost felt like the beach, and the wind was kicking up some pretty good waves in the river.

I decided to head downstream because I had a strong headwind going in that direction, much stronger than the downstream current. I knew it would require extra strength to paddle in that headwind, but I also knew I would have a strong tailwind to bring me back upstream.

The tailwind was so strong going back that I didn't even really have to paddle. The wind just guided me safely back upstream to the harbor. If I hadn't been able to accurately discern the direction of the wind, I could have gone the opposite direction and been more fatigued coming back against a headwind after having already had a long paddle out.

Sometimes in life, we have headwinds we have to face, ones that make us work harder but also can make us stronger. Other times, getting through life is a breeze. It's the reality of living in this world. It's good though to gain wisdom and discernment on what direction the wind is coming from.

Sometimes when we're struggling against a headwind, it's because we're trying to do something God doesn't intend for us to do (and that something is also probably leading us the opposite direction from God). Other times, the direction of the struggle can be coming from Satan because he knows what a good thing we are working toward and he wants to discourage us and cause us to give up on the good thing we're working so hard for. Consequently, just because some things are a breeze doesn't necessarily mean they are within God's will. Doing God's will is not always easy or comfortable.

This is why in everything we are to seek God's wisdom and to pray for discernment so that we can determine if a headwind or a tailwind is from Him or from the enemy. Anything that's from the enemy is the WRONG direction. Anything that's from Jesus our Savior is the RIGHT direction.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-7, NIV)

Unharmed

Today after a paddle down the river, I decided to take my board into the harbor and just sit and reflect on some things. As I was sitting there, I happened to see something ahead in the water. I immediately knew what it was before I even got a closer look...something I haven't seen yet since taking up paddle boarding, and something I never desire to see because of my phobia. It was a snake.

Just to be certain, I stood back up on my board and paddled a little closer for a better look. Yep, it was a water moccasin. I don't know much about water moccasins other than they are poisonous. When I told a couple of people what I saw, they warned me that water moccasins are aggressive and will come after you (one woman said she even saw one make a 180 and started coming straight for her boat!).

When I approached it, I noticed it was continuing to swim away from me instead of turning on me (thank God!). I was strangely calm despite my extreme fear of snakes. Perhaps that is because I know this truth:

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. Psalm 91:1-13 (MSG)

Get Down On Your Knees

A couple of days ago, I had to learn what to do if someone is paddle boarding and something goes wrong while I am giving them lessons or leading them on a paddle. While the likelihood of having a situation where someone falls off their board and are drowning or unconscious is very minimal, I am required to know how to get them back on their board.

I was rather nervous at the thought of practicing this for the first time, especially since the man I was "rescuing" was a foot taller than me and more than twice my weight. It seemed a bit impossible to me to be able to pull his dead weight up onto a board while I was in the water, until I was shown how it was done and tried it. I succeeded in the first try. For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Thank goodness I learned how to do this because today could have easily been one of those days where something could have gone wrong. I was one of three people taking a group of nine paddlers out to the river. I was bringing up the rear and just as we were about to exit the harbor and enter into the river, one of the girls at the back of the group said she suddenly felt faint and was seeing spots.

I told her if she wanted to return to the docks to get some water and relax until the feeling passed, I would go back with her, but the main thing was for her to get back on her knees on the board. If she had remained standing and fainted, she would have likely hit her head on the board and become unconscious. Getting back on her knees lowered her center of gravity, made her feel less faint, and kept her safe from falling. We made it back to the docks without incident, thank goodness. 

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:7-10).

Do Not Worry

After a stressful day, I took a leisurely paddle and just took in all the sights and sounds of the
surrounding nature. Listening to the birds chirp and the fish splash as they would brave the surface of the water. Watching the turtles sunning themselves on branches sticking out of the river. And watching a blue heron fly across the horizon in front of me. The blue herons are so beautiful.

Photo by Mike Peters

While paddling, I also spotted a large bird's nest in a tree top. It was the largest nest I've ever seen. I'm not sure if it was the nest of a heron, but definitely of something similar in size. I was thinking how easy the animals have it...not a care in the world. I was then reminded how we as humans really don't have as much to worry about as we think we do.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:25-27)

Go Where God Wants To Take You

When I used to coach pageant contestants for the Miss America program, I remember a judge asked an unusual question during the interview phase of competition, "Which would you rather be, the baseball or the baseball bat and why?" My guess is the purpose of the question was to see how quickly the contestant could think on her feet. I thought about how I personally would answer that question and would have to say I would want to be the baseball so that I could be free to go different places. During this evening's paddle, I found this baseball floating in the river, reminding me of that particular Q&A.

I love that in my relationship with Christ, I now have the freedom to go wherever I trust God to take me. And he's taken me to some very interesting places!!!

Taming The Tongue

Oftentimes if I'm paddling on the Cumberland River, a barge much like the one above will come by. In fact, one just like this came by me this evening. It's important to stay out of a barge's way since they are much like trains in that they cannot stop on a dime.

But what's even more interesting is that barges don't create a lot of noise in the water. You would think something that big would create a loud wake, but it doesn't. However, that doesn't mean they're not churning up a lot of stuff far below the water's surface.

Even if words are spoken quietly or in a non-threatening tone, they can still have a profound affect on someone and churn up things for the receiver of those words in ways the speaker cannot see or imagine. And once something is spoken, it cannot be taken back and its effects cannot be stopped.

My tongue is one of the hardest things for me to control. There are so many things I have said in my life that I wish I could take back. I'm thankful for God's grace and forgiveness for the things I've said, and I pray for His grace to help me better control something that's often so untameable in my own strength.

James 3:4-5 And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. 

"Remember that we are not fighting the tongue's fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God's love, and we won't react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won't lash out." (James 3:8 study note from the Life Application Bible)

Digging Deep

In helping beginner paddlers get started, one of the things I have to remind them of is to always dig the face of the paddle deep into the water so that it's completely submersed. Not putting it fully in the water is one of the biggest mistakes beginner paddlers make, causing them to move slower through the water.

One of the biggest mistakes many new (and not so new) believers make is not taking time to dig deep into the Word on a daily basis. Relying on a scriptural sermon for less than an hour a week on Sundays only skims the surface of what God wants to personally say to each of us.

Up until about six years ago, I didn't spend time in the Word on a daily basis. Now, I can't imagine a day without it. It's as important to my day as eating breakfast or even breathing. God has revealed so much to me in these past six years because I have taken the time to listen to Him, and I want to continue listening to Him. Have you made time in your day to dig deep and hear what He wants to say to you?

What Are Your Gifts?

A few days ago the owner of the SUP shop said he wanted to meet with me. I was curious about what he wanted to discuss and when I went in to see him yesterday, he asked if I'd be interested in helping out on the weekends with teaching first-time paddlers. I was very excited about this since teaching and encouraging others are two of my top spiritual gifts (if you've never taken a spiritual gifts assessment, it's a cool thing to do...it helps you know better how God has equipped you in a unique way to serve Him and His children).

So yesterday, I received an intensive crash-course training on being a SUP instructor. I got to start today under the owner's watchful eye, and while the teaching part came easy, handling all the different boards (loading them onto the docks, launching them, etc.) was a little awkward (I hope to have that part down to a science pretty soon!).

Spiritual gifts can be utilized in a number of ways and settings, not just inside a church building. I see opportunities around me everyday in my own business to utilize my gifting. If you are employed in a job that requires skills that match up to your spiritual gifts, then you are in a good place. If your job requirements don't match up with your gifts, perhaps there are volunteer opportunities that do where you can fulfill your natural talents. What are your spiritual gifts? How are you using them?

Don't Get In The Middle Of It All

Today I got to go out on a paddle with the owner of the SUP shop. He was explaining to me how the river's current is mostly in the middle of the river instead of on the outer sides of the river (as you can see in the photo below), which is one of the reasons why we paddle 10-20 yards from the bank. He said, "Yeah, after you cross to the other side of the river, you don't want to be in the middle of that commotion."

I personally have never thrived on drama, but after I crossed over to a different level of spiritual maturity in my life, I especially didn't want to get in the middle of any unnecessary drama going on around me. There are so many things in this world for me to be thankful and grateful for, and I only want to expend my energy on things that help me remain grounded and (hopefully) make a positive difference, even if it's something as simple as this little blog. 

Let Me Walk Upon The Waters

Thank you to my friend Tracy for sending me this song!

Lyrics ("Oceans" by Hillsong United)

 You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Go With The Flow

Today's current in the river was even stronger than yesterday's unusually strong current, so I went to the right and headed upstream. It took so much more effort today and I could feel myself quickly moving backward when I stopped to have a sip of water or to check out the turtle sunning itself on a limb. Once I reached a certain point, I decided to just turn around and go with the flow. I rested for a bit by sitting on my board and letting the current do all the work to carry me back to where I started.

Sometimes it's best to stop fighting against God and give it all over to Him, letting Him lead our lives out of the overflowing goodness of His heart.

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, "Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” (John 7:38)

Fins To The Left, Fins To The Right

Today when I was attaching the fin to my board before going out on the river, I heard behind me the voice of the SUP owner telling me to go to the right out of the harbor because the current was unusually strong today. (Going to the right would cause me to expend less energy at the end of my paddle when I would be more fatigued, making for a safer paddle.)

I really appreciated him looking out for me letting me know this before I got out there on the water. It made me think of the scripture Isaiah 30:21: "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left."

And since the docks were being decorated for a Jimmy Buffet party later tonight, I also couldn't help but get Buffet's lyrics "fins to the left, fins to the right" stuck in my head! Was humming it up the river and back!

Don't Rock The Boat

So today I when I was out on my new SUP board, I was getting some fun waves off the boats passing by. I love how the board rocks with the waves and the challenge of staying on when they come.

As I was rocking up and down with the waves, I remembered a story my mom once shared with me about something that happened with her and her childhood best friend. They were probably about eight or nine years old at the time. My mom couldn't swim well and her best friend knew this and would sometimes tease her because of it.

One time, while in a canoe on a pond at the best friend's farm, the best friend stood up in the canoe and started dancing in it to make the canoe rock back and forth. My mom said she was doing it just to try to make my mom nervous. But guess who fell in the water? That's right, the best friend trying to rock the boat (a haughty spirit goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18).

I hadn't thought about that story in a long time. It's been over 13 years since my mother passed away and I miss her so. 

Light And Narrow

After having done a lot of online research on SUP boards in the hopes of purchasing my own, I took the time to "test drive" a few today. The owner of the SUP place was so helpful and really took his time to answer all my questions and let me try out several boards.

One board in particular was really narrow and therefore was not as easy to stand on as the others, but the weight of it was lighter than any other board. After being on it for a little while, the SUP guy told me, "Not many people can ride that board. It's not for everyone."

This statement, and the fact that it is the narrowest of the boards, made me think of the scripture about the Narrow Gate:

Matthew 7:13-14
¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Choosing to be a Christian doesn't mean life suddenly gets easier. Everyone regardless of their faith experiences trials in life. But Jesus promises us this:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

My new SUP board! I'm as happy as a bride who just found her wedding dress!

Remain Standing Tall

Today I got to go for a mid-week/after-work paddle. I was part of a group of about seven stand up
paddlers and got to try out some new turns on the board. While out on the river, a fishing boat with three boisterous guys came by. Our group overheard them saying, "Hey let's make 'em fall off their boards." They circled around us a few times trying to create waves in the hopes of knocking us off our boards, but no such luck for them. We all stayed standing. Little did the boaters know the boards we were on are made specifically for the surf, so handling their small waves was a piece of cake. Plus, we all have pretty good balance.

There will always be people who will try to knock you off your game or make you stumble and fall, but as long as you are properly equipped to handle it and keep a balanced outlook on life with Christ at the center, you can remain standing tall.

We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do...God hasn’t left our side. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (MSG).

Waiting On God's Perfect Timing

Today I was paddling on my own while one of my friends was taking the beginner SUP class. As I was heading into the river I noticed a man fishing from the river bank. Problem was, he had lost one of his fishing poles, and was using his remaining pole to try to fish the lost one out of the water. He wasn't having any luck as it kept getting further away from him. I tried to get it for him with my paddle, but the fact that I was heading downstream and would have to get into an area of shallow water to retrieve it, it just wasn't possible without falling off the board near some rocks. I apologized for not being able to help and continued on my way.

Later, as I turned around to head upstream back to the marina, I spotted the fishing pole. It had floated to a deeper area of the river where I was now able to easily maneuver my board and safely pull it out of the water. I tucked the pole under the cargo bungees and headed back to where I first found the fisherman, hoping he was still there. He was there, and was happy to see his fishing pole again. Because of its length, I was able to hand it over to him without getting too close to the shallow edges of the bank.

There are a lot of things in this life I want to find. Things I've lost, things I'm still looking for. But something I am at peace with is that it will happen in God's perfect timing. It will occur when it doesn't have to be forced. It will be at the right time and in the right place. The second time I saw the fishing pole, it was so much easier for me to get it because this time it was floating toward me instead of away from me. I didn't have to try to go after it.

Yes, paddling upstream exerts a little more energy and discipline, but when you're looking up toward God, you can see that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 1:17). When you're looking down or heading in the wrong direction, or even spending time in shallow waters, you're likely to stumble and fall (Matthew 7:13-14).

Luke 5 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Stand Your Ground And Face The Waves

Today was my first solo paddle. It was kind of a last minute decision to go out because it had been raining all morning and looked like it would continue throughout the day. But once the sun came shining through in late afternoon, I couldn't stay inside much longer. I thought about going for a bike ride, but opted instead for a paddle (I'm so hooked!). So I hopped online to reserve a board and then headed over to the marina.

This time I went out later in the day when there are more boats out on the water, making the water a little more choppy. I actually like when the boats cause a lot of waves because it's kind of cool to feel the board rocking under my feet and to be challenged to stay standing on the board in the waves. I remembered what I was taught: turn your board toward the waves when they come and face them.

God doesn't promise us a trouble-free life with smooth sailing. Instead, there will be times of trials (John 16:33), but Jesus's presence gives us the peace to face those trials. We can put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) in order to stand against evil:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist (NIV), and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)

The passage above came to mind when I was thinking about the gear required for SUP. Maybe this is a bit of a stretch, but I see parallels here:

• Belt pack life jacket :: belt of truth
• Board :: body armor of God's righteousness
• Ankle leash :: shoes of peace
• Sunscreen :: shield of faith
• Hat/visor :: helmet of salvation
• Paddle :: sword of the Spirit/Word of God

Even though I was out on the river by myself this time in rougher waters and stronger currents, I knew I was not alone nor unequipped. God is always with me, and always provides me everything I need.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2

Keeping My Brain Focused On What's Deep, Not What's Shallow

Today was my second time paddle boarding. After the first time, I couldn't wait to get back out on the water. I took my friend Veronica who was a little nervous at first just like I was, but took to it very easily. Come to find out, she was experienced in snow and water skiing, so she really had nothing to be worried about.

While we were in the harbor about to go onto the river, I saw a few turtles swimming around and then I noticed something in the water that at first I thought was just a plastic bag. But when I looked closer, it looked more like either a jellyfish or even a brain! Well, I knew it couldn't be a jellyfish since we were paddling in fresh water (and I was really hoping it wasn't a brain!). I asked the SUP owner what it was and turned out it was a bryozoa (a colony of tiny animals that form jelly-like masses and filter particles from the water). I continue to be amazed by God's creation!

After we got out of the harbor, there's a little section you have to go through to get onto the river that is rather shallow on one side. The owner reminded me to not get too close to the shallow edge because I could run-aground and take a hard fall. I wasn't too worried about falling because, just like last time, I prayed for God to keep me on the board, and I was really starting to get into a groove with paddling this second time around. But I still appreciated the advice and heeded the warning.

I considered this advice in terms of my spiritual life, and remembered how, when I'm not spending time deep in the Word of God, I tend to focus on shallow things which can really throw my sense of peace off balance and off course. That's why I have to spend time every morning digging deep into the Word before I do anything else, to not just spiritually feed my brain, but to also filter out all the impure particles of messages that daily bombard our minds in our culture's media. I can always tell the difference in my sense of peace if I miss a day of God's Word, and therefore try not to do so.

I have also discovered just how peaceful SUP is. I'm not thinking about anything negative when I'm out on the water. I have a feeling this is going to become more than just an occasional past time for me!

Don't Look Down

I had decided this summer I was going to try stand up paddleboarding (SUP). After a quick search online, I found a place at the marina nearby that rents boards and offers a basics/beginner course, making the thought of trying it a little less intimidating. I invited a few friends to join me, but didn't have any takers, now making the thought of it a little more intimidating. But, I didn't let the fact that I would have to go solo stop me. I've been to the other side of the world by myself. I go hiking and biking by myself all the time. I could do this by myself. And besides, I knew I wouldn't be truly alone because God is always with me, and there would be some other newbies in the beginner class I could meet.

Not personally knowing anyone who has previously tried SUP, I wasn't sure if it was going to be harder than it looked or easier than it looked. Would I have the balance to get up and stand up on the first try? I mean, you're basically standing on water! I'm sure it's something that probably doesn't come naturally, at least not at first.

Despite how hot it was today, I didn't want to end up swimming with turtles in the Cumberland River if I could help it. So this morning before heading out to the marina I prayed, "Lord, please let me be able to get up on the board on the first try and stay standing up." (It's true you can pray anytime about anything!).

Not only did God answer that prayer, but through the process of the beginner's lesson, He showed me just how much this experience of learning SUP is a direct parallel to some of the lessons in His Word. For instance, just as I was about to stand up for the first time, the instructor told me to keep my focus on the horizon and don't look down or I would likely fall in the water. As soon as she said that, I immediately thought of the story of Peter when he walked on water with Jesus:

Matthew 14:22-33

^22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
^29-30 He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” (MSG)

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (NIV)

Peter started to sink because he took his focus off Jesus. One of the other things our instructor told us today was, "Your board will go where your eyes go." This is why it is so important for us to guard what we look at and watch. If we take our focus off of God and peer down the path of darkness and destruction, before we know it we're likely to be steering ourselves in that direction and heading down that road.

Take time like Jesus did to be by yourself and pray. Be like Peter and take a step in faith. Don't look down. Keep your eyes on God, and when you feel like you're sinking, reach out for Jesus's loving hand. He will catch you.