Inspirational

The Doldrums

Patience is a sailor’s virtue, especially in the doldrums—as you wait for wind in a becalmed sea…wait for the storm to diminish…wait for the wind to change direction. As you raise sails. Lower sails. Shift sails. The good news is that you’re very rarely bored when sailing. When you are gifted with a few moments of idleness, take a few deep breaths of pure salty air and savor the sunshine warming your skin as sparkling blue water gurgles against the hull, leaving a bubbly path in your wake.

Sailing is a lot like our lives. It’s not usually calm, perfect conditions, but we need to appreciate every moment of the journey, even the doldrums. Difficult times that challenge us. Seasons when we’re stuck, unable to move forward. Periods of utter fatigue when we feel overwhelmed and want to give up.

We should make the most of those intervals of stagnation. They are blessings that allow you time to catch up—write or call a friend; bake a special treat for a loved one; draw closer to God. Rest! Because life will get crazy again, guaranteed, and you want to be prepared for whatever comes next.

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting” —Anonymous

The Real Adventure

Although Colors of the Ocean is fiction, several locations within the story are actual places we visited during our 3-year voyage around the world in our sailboat. As I reread my trip journals and paged through photo albums, it made me realize how important it is to record events in our lives. Those tangible items share details of moments that can spark memories which may be accurate or a bit off the beam. As I wrote my book I found great pleasure in reliving portions of our cruising days, sometimes surprised by things I’d forgotten, and a few times grateful I was no longer going through those experiences!

However, my favorite memories from all those adventures were the people—sailors from all walks of life who became part of our cruising family; and immersion into the cultural diversity of Mexico and each island country. What I loved most about everyone we met was their kindness. We might speak different languages, eat different foods, and dress differently, but we were always greeted with warm smiles. Several times we were invited into a family’s home for a beverage or meal, or to attend their church or local festivities. They loved sharing, no matter how little they had and were content in their quiet, less complicated lives.

Those days that we dwelled among the island people gave pause for contemplation—for what was really important and for our purpose in life. It all really came down to one thing. Love each other. If enough people would do small acts of kindness, we could all make a huge impact in our world.

We can do no great things, only small things with great love

—Mother Teresa

Drawing Closer

The reality of publishing my novel, Colors of the Ocean, deepened when I received the final image for my book cover from Kelly, Elk Lake’s cover designer. I couldn’t stop smiling. As I turned the calendar to September, my smile drooped a bit. I realized that the anticipated late fall launch is not far off. Do you ever feel like there are so many things to do, you become immobile? Or your brain short-circuits into a confusing mass, unable to prioritize everything that needs to get done? Instead you find yourself sliding down rabbit holes and feeling even more overwhelmed.

Daily living gives us a never-ending supply of items to cross off our lists: cooking, cleaning, exercise, gardening, grocery shopping, grandkids, Bible study, volunteering, and of course—writing and all that goes with it. And I’m just getting started. Honestly, I have not slowed down since retirement, just rearranged the schedule!

What I need to remember is to breathe and focus on what God wants me to accomplish each day. In my quiet time each morning I draw close to God, listen, and wait for guidance along His path. Then I am filled with strength and the perseverance to fulfill whatever His purpose is for me that day. By trusting God, I can let go of worries and instead, enjoy this fantastic journey. He’s got this.

Life is both risk & opportunity. Yield to God’s design & purpose with a spirit of trust & enthusiasm.

The Path of Life

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand— Psalm16:11

I assume you’re familiar with the quote, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get”, from Alice in Wonderland. That’s been me the past few months, working in many directions as I prepare for Elk Lake’s publication of my novel, Colors of the Ocean. Release date soon to be announced. At least I finally got my blog converted to this awesome author website with many thanks to Tim McClain for his skill and patience. Photos taken, author bio and back cover rewritten, 3rd and final edits submitted. Check, check, check. I’m still building my social media platform using LinkedIn, and working on an email subscriber list, trying to decide who to use—Substack, MailChimp, or Constant Contact?

Believe me, I am not complaining. God has given me a wonderful opportunity and I’m thankful for this path of life He is leading me on. How blessed to share what I love to do—write—and set forth the inspiration gifted from experiences, people, places, joys, and sorrows. God has used the very worst to make the very best. This is a bit of my testimony.

In 2008, my only son, Shannon, contracted West Nile Virus. He wasn’t able to fight off the virus due to being on immunosuppressant meds because of a kidney transplant in 1992. His prognosis poor, he eventually awoke from a coma, but remained paralyzed and on life support for a year—the remainder of his life. There are no adequate words to describe the fear and deep pain of that year. But because of my helplessness and finally reaching out to God, who I’d mostly ignored for years, He bestowed hope and many miracles during those dark days. My faith journey began as I learned to trust God through the valleys, not just the mountaintops. I surrendered my life to Him and God gave me the courage and strength to persevere through and after Shannon’s passing in 2009. Then He showed me how to use those deepest emotions and rewrite the novel I’d been working on for a few years. Only this time, God was the author and I His pen and paper.

I began this blog with the simple intention of updating you on the progress of publication for my Christian Young Adult novel, an adventure that crosses an ocean and generational bridges. Instead, I’ve shared my testimony—the turning point of my life. That’s what God does. He takes over my thoughts and my heart. And I follow down whatever path he may lead me.

It’s been quite a learning experience, following, and not trying to organize and control my own destiny. But I’ve found that God knows what He’s doing, while I rarely do. His plans are always much better than mine. Not always easier, but always fulfill His purpose for my life. What is that purpose? To plant seeds of faith. To water, feed, and nurture those budding flowers. Good thing I love gardening!

True faith, true belief, isn’t possible where there’s not a daily doing of what Jesus says. They’re what make faith take root and spring to life … Neglecting the things he says, there’s no soil in which your faith can grow—George McDonald— “Knowing the Heart of God”

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