boats, and life

I read this, and look at the picture and I just want to sing that chorus to that Sara Groves song: I am nodding my head an emphatic yes to all that you have for me!!!

BUT, but, BUT, it's easier said than done. Ships are made to sail. But look at that picture. It's beautiful. But it is lying. Those waters are calm, and empty; they are still and serene and beautiful. Real waters are rarely that way.

My grandpa had a boat. He had wanted one for years and years, so when he was in his 60's he saved up $15K and bought a new custom pontoon boat. It was beautiful with its new white and navy leather seats. It had these waterproof covers that snapped on over the seats to protect them when they weren't in use. When I was in my early teens, we spent a lot of time out on that boat. Sometimes my dad would let me drive it, and I would feel like I was on top of the world. Then my grandpa got sick. And he never wanted to take the boat out anymore. He had completely lost his zest for life. When I remember my grandpa, I remember that he loved small, simple pleasures. Working in his rose garden. Restoring old furniture. Sitting on the boat for hours. Poking through antique stores. After he got sick, he just sat. He even stopped watching Letterman, and he loved Letterman.

The boat sat still. Untouched. Protected by its cover, yes. But the carpet, which was always slightly damp, got moldy, and the engine decayed from disuse. Boats [and ships] are not meant for disuse. But we get discouraged, and lazy, and sick, and there are a world of excuses and oceans filled with fear, and we don't want to take the boat out.

For crying out loud, I don't want to sit still anymore! For anyone who's ever driven a boat, you have learned that when you see a big wave coming toward you (for instance, if a boat passes you on the side, creating wake) you should turn toward the wave and hit it head on because if it hits you on the side, the boat will rock, and if it is a big enough wave, the boat could capsize. Well, the waves are out there and we have to face them head on! Here I come, world! Here's to not being safe, and doing what I'm meant to do.

{image source}