August 10, 2009
For years I have wanted a boat. I grew up with boats. They were part of my youth. It was one of the few ways that my dad and I connected and spent time together. I love boats and being on the water, and I wanted to raise my sons around boats. However, as a family we seemed to always have other priorities and we never got a boat – until 2008. It was time, everything came together and I purchased a 1962 Chris-Craft Holiday mahogany ski boat. Wow. What a gift from my Father. I was delighted. I was tickled. I finally had a boat. And, not just any boat – a classic.
I love spending time in my boat with my Father and my family. The throaty growl of the 283 c.i. small block V8. The shine of the chrome. The warm radiance of the gleaming mahogany. The conversations it starts with people admiring how gorgeous it is. The fun we have out on the water in the warm sun. It’s a special gift from my heavenly Father. I love what the boat represents about my Father’s heart toward me.
One unique element of the boat is the chrome bow burgee pole. It’s a little flag pole with a little Chris-Craft flag – or burgee. The boat didn’t have one when I bought it. I had this one lovingly made, with the crowning glory being its lathed mahogany knob. I love my burgee pole.
One morning I am out in the boat, cruising alone with the Lord struggling through some difficult issues and trying to connect with Him, when the burgee pole knob pops off and falls in the lake. I quickly cut the throttle and double back to find it, but I can’t. I spent what felt like ages of time going back and forth looking for the knob. I spied what looked like the knob and began rejoicing in God’s goodness, only to find out it was a pine cone. I was dejected. I sat there pouring out my heart to the Lord knowing that He knows where the knob is. He knows how much this boat and that burgee pole mean to me. I know it’s just a boat, and the knob is a small thing, but it means something to me.
I slowly surrender to the fact that I am not going to find the knob. I sit there reading the last few chapters of Job about the greatness of God – the fact that He is God and I’m not. I surrender my heart and my expectations to Him. I thank Him that He loves me and cares for me even if I never find the burgee knob. I am disappointed, but at peace so I start the boat and begin to putter off in a totally different direction.
As I am idling away, I sense a gentle encouragement to look to my right – and there it is. I don’t even have to turn the boat. I simply reach over the side and scoop it up. I stop the boat and cry. My God knows. He cares.
He knows our hearts and He cares.
I Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
Strength and courage,
David