Fourth of July 2022

(Sorry, I was away and couldn’t post this on the 4th)

This fourth of July, I awakened and sat on the bow of a catamaran on the waters of the coast of Belize. Sipping my coffee, I felt breeze caressing my face, let the sea air fill my lungs, and watched as Pelicans dove into the sea looking for breakfast. As the sun lifted, my thoughts turned toward the country I love, the country I’m worried about. Regardless of one’s political leanings, there is no doubt that our country is struggling. While I long to lift a sparkler and wave it with deep appreciation for all we have been given and all we have done as a nation, this morning my hand is as empty as my soul: What is going on? How will we ever get through this? Please, Lord, please be with us and guide us.

Taking a sip of coffee, I look down at the ropes attached to the mooring just as a gust of wind pushes our boat to one side. The mooring and ropes hold, but the boat shifts to one side and faces a new direction. Yes, I saw a sermon (or a brushstroke) in that! 

The winds are inevitable, but when attached to a mooring, the boat stays where it is. It will inevitably shift and face a new direction. As much as I may want the view to remain the same, there’s nothing I could do about the wind. My job is to appreciate the new direction I face. A solid mooring is the key. That, and strong ropes. Then, it’s possible to dance with the wind.

It’s hard when you’ve loved your old view. It’s scary when the boat shifts, and disconcerting to look in a new direction, but I guess that’s where faith comes in. 

Here’s to our nation’s birthday. Here’s to the glorious things we have achieved, the countless challenges we’ve faced. This morning I give thanks to the mooring that has held strong all these years, and to the ropes that have held us fast. This morning, I also give thanks for the wind and the new direction we now face. May it point us to another glorious sunrise.