30th Anniversary Reflection

 

30^th Anniversary Reflection

 

As I reflect on our life together, it makes me think of sailing. Not I am a sailor, but after being out with my brother, Sean, on his boat, I can see some analogy to life.

 

Thirty years ago, we boarded our little sailboat called ‘marriage’, with great aspirations, dreams, and determination. There were some who looked at our boat and thought it make not make it even out of the harbour, but we sailed away. That little boat took more work than we thought possible and before long we had four of us sailing in the boat, two little people who looked up to us to keep them safe, to love and care for them. With family life and work demands, our little boat fell into some disrepair.  It was ok in the safe harbours, but in ocean seas and storms, it took a battering. We came back to harbour and made some minor repairs which we thought at the time would be enough to see us through. Back out to the ocean of life we travelled and this time we hit a hurricane of bad weather. Our little boat floundered and we were shipwrecked and exhausted. We walked away for a time and our boat lay on the shore with gaping holes and its owners thinking it was unrepairable. Thank God for small people’s prayer and their encouragement, they honestly believed we could repair our boat. Just maybe there was some love and life still salvageable.

One day, Roderick and I took another look at our little boat, we cried for what it had once meant and for the potential it could have had.  We prayed that if it was at all possible, Lord, could you find someone to help us rebuild our boat.  We knew we couldn’t endure another shipwreck again, especially with our precious children onboard. God heard our prayer and we had some expert help to show us how to rebuild. Of course, we had to do the work, it was the hardest and most soul wrenching work we did. We stripped that little boat bare and began again with new wood, new sails and lines. At first, we thought we were going backwards as the boat was hardly recognizable, but over time that little boat brought on new life and we could see ourselves together again on the ocean of life. Our children were our greatest encouragers and some dear friends prayed and believed in us too. Over time we learnt some of the finer details of sailing this boat, and began to work together with our strengths, and supporting each other in our weaknesses.

There were days when we didn’t want to take our boat out of our safe harbour, but we were reminded that boats aren’t built to stay in harbour, but the sail the open waters. So bravely, we ventured out as a family together and experienced some wonderful family times. In recent years, our children have their own boats to sail, because that is how life is meant to be lived. For Roderick and I, we love our little boat and have learnt that the maintenance of a boat needs regular upkeep in commitment, care, time, and love.

Today, we celebrate 30 years of sailing together through fierce storms and quiet waters, sunshine, and rain. Our sails have stayed strong through gale force winds and gentle breezes. We acknowledge God at our helm and we trust in His faithfulness to continue to lead us through life’s journey together.