Know Where You Are

The other night, when my husband picked us up in our fishing boat, it was so dark it made my stomach knot.

I trust my husband's boating skills, and have literally put my life in his hands time and time again crossing the waters to and from Sapelo. He is experienced and capable, and comes from a family of talented captains.

But this darkness was thick.

My eyes could not adjust to it. There was no moon or stars because the sky was thick with clouds. The only thing we could see was what was right beside us, the black shadow of marsh grass.

I asked my husband how he could steer the boat without knowing where he was going, and he just chuckled.

"I don't have to see where I'm going," he said. (Not exactly what you want to hear from your captain.) "All I need to see is where I am."

I let that sink in a moment, and before I could ask for clarification, he continued.

"If you always know where you are, you'll know where you're supposed to be next."

At that moment, the marsh grass disappeared, which told me we were at the place where the river turns and divides around a tiny island. The boat turned and the marsh was back on both sides -- the mainland marsh on the left, and the island on the right.

I started paying close attention to where we were, and the knot in my stomach loosened. When the little island disappeared, I knew that if we went slightly to the right, we'd pass a pole, and then we'd be in the wide part of the river that flows into the sound, and beyond that, Sapelo Island and then the Atlantic Ocean. I knew where I was even without seeing what was ahead of me.

I've thought about that night a lot in the last few days. Right now there is some uncertainty in my life and some frustration over not being able to see what's ahead for me and my family. This is obviously one of those times when I shouldn't worry over what's ahead of me.

I have to trust the Captain of my life. I have to trust that if I stay focused on where I am now, stay on course and remain faithful, He will make sure I get to where I'm supposed to be.