Amid the many life-changing days of my existence – meeting Angie or the birth of our girls, for example – stands a day of great importance…yet one whose exact date I can’t recall.
In summer 1992, I was waterfront director at a youth camp on the Rhode River in southern Maryland. One of the perks of my job was getting to use the camp’s ski boat when instruction was done for the day. Perhaps because I could, and almost certainly showing off for my friends, I took the boat one calm summer’s evening and made the 12-mile trek into the Chesapeake Bay and to Annapolis. By the time I was through hanging out with my friends at the City Dock for the night, it was late, and it was no longer a calm summer’s eve. I ventured forth into the Severn River to make the return trip, and quickly turned back given the size of the waves in the river alone.
I returned to the dock, where most of my friends remained. With them was a “friend of a friend” whose name I didn’t know…just a guy who happened to be there that night. As 1 a.m. approached, I knew I needed to return the boat or risk losing my job. This unknown person asked if I wanted company to help with the return trip, and I agreed. Our trip would take us from the Severn River into the Chesapeake Bay, around Thomas Point Light, on to the West River, and finally, the Rhodes River.
We hadn’t even cleared the Severn River and were already in trouble. We took several six-foot waves over the boat, and besides standing in ankle deep water, one of the waves knocked out the navigation lights…on a moonless night. We weaved through a maze of crab pots and into the bay, where the waves were more intense. We were trapped in a delicate balance of the throttle – too much and we would jump a wave and crash into the next one, swamping the boat…too little and the waves would simply douse us. We were nearing Thomas Point Light with no lights, no radio, and unable to even see a horizon deep in the troughs between most waves.
At some point, “growing up” on the water, I would read tales of those who lost their lives in maritime accidents, and wonder how they could make the poor choices that put them in those predicaments. Now I knew. So I prayed. Hard.
My unknown comrade and I settled into a rhythm – I’d throttle up a wave and throttle down the reverse side, while he’d survey the waves and shout “rev it” or “back down.” We misjudged several waves, the boat was taking a beating, we were in knee-deep water at this point, with a windshield sliding off, and a sputtering engine from propeller cavitation. However, we stayed focused on making slow, steady progress, and around 4 a.m., we entered the wonderfully calm waters of the West River, and several hours of repairs later, all was well. I dropped my friend (and at this point, I certainly considered him a friend) off in Annapolis, and never saw him again. That night I might have known his name, but in the rearview mirror, he’s more of an apparition to me now than a reality. While I’m sure he was a real person, I’ve become equally sure through the years that he was my guardian angel. Without him, that night was probably my last, and I would never have had any subsequent “meet Angie” or “birth of my children” moments.
In Matthew’s gospel (8:23-27), Jesus was asleep on a boat with the disciples when waves swept over the boat, and the disciples cried, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” He got up, rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
I could not have quoted that passage that night, but as years have passed, I’m more certain that God was with me. And as an all-knowing God, He provided me with the resources I needed, the friend I needed, the faith I needed and the calm I needed to make it through – all before I knew I needed them. It took me awhile to understand this, but understanding isn’t always immediate. It comes on God’s time and according to His plan. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the times you calm the storms - figurative and not figurative - in our lives. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those experiencing hardships and trials in their lives
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