The other day, the idea of a boat came to mind. A small boat, like a rowboat or a Sunfish. Something that, once you were on, you were on.

Some of us may be on a boat all alone, others with lots of people crammed into tight spaces. The thing is, you can’t get off a boat, especially if a storm has come up.

My limited experience out on the water has taught me that you have to hunker down, keep your wits about you, and trust the other people to do their best.

I remember one time, when we were in rough waters on my dad’s boat. There was a lot of yelling and our boys became frightened. I decided that the best thing I could do was go below with them and let the others figure it out.

I am no sailor, so that was a bit of a no-brainer, but it was hard. I wanted to get into the fray and tell everyone who was right and who was wrong (according to me). But there was plenty of that going on already, so I forced myself to go below and take our sons.

I don’t remember much more than that. I’m sure I sang songs or hymns with them, or did something to comfort or distract them, and we all made it home safe and sound.

The grown ups got their act together and figured out who needed to do what, and the boys and I stayed out of the way.

Sometimes, that’s how it goes during times of stress. We may not always get the role of captain in our lives (there’s only one after all) but we all have an important role to play.

The thing I am trying to remember as I navigate being home with the same people, day in and day out, is that it is my job to look around, see what needs doing, and try my best to do it.

Some days I’m the captain, some days I’m the one going below and being quiet and prayerful, and some days I’m the one causing most of the unpleasantness.

What do they say about a boat, or a life?

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” John A. Shedd

We are all built to withstand storms.

So, now I tell myself, “Yes, this might be frustrating or boring or unnerving but sailors don’t just pull out their ipads and ignore the storm: They batten down the hatches, do what needs doing, put the good of the whole over their own self-interest, and look for clearing skies.”

Because, as every sailor knows, they always appear.

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