Paddle If You Will

As I sit here and watch the news I see the arrival of the Oregon Ducks in Phoenix AZ/  This week they will be preparing for one of the most important games of their lives. I think about the work the Ducks have done to get where they are today and then to just ducks in general. I use to have a "duck collection", but that's a story for another day.
 

In my mind I picture a calm, peaceful lake.  A breeze is blowing, the sun is setting, the silvery leaves of the trees at the shoreline of the gleaming lake are stirring in the breeze.  A lone duck is floating across the lake and at first glance is being propelled by a single gust of wind across the lake.  The world is at peace...above the water-line that is.  Beneath the waterline that lone duck is paddling to get across that lake like his life depends on it!  And it very well might.  That duck has no idea what's lurking below the waterline, in the reeds along the shore, flying in the sky or hiding behind the rock.

That's kinda where I am right now.  All is peaceful and calm on the outside and I'm paddling like heck below the waterline.   But the duck and I have yet another thing in common.  We have a common Creator who loves us and cares for us.  So, when we get all anxious about the things below the water-line, hidden in the reeds or behind the rock at shoreline we can remember our Creator who loves us. And we can stop paddling so feverishly, rest and float peacefully across the lake in the breeze the Creator has created.

We (hubby and I) do move slower than we use to.  It takes us longer to accomplish the same things that we use to do in half the time. We're learning to move slower intentionally so we don't get hurt and we can go longer.  We've learned to lean.  Our Creator is there and all we have to do is lean when we need to and when we're ready He gives us His hand, helps us to stand and we continue.  It has NOT been easy for either of us to slow down and hold out our hand but we're getting better.  We talk each other through situations just like we always have.  There are some tears from both of us sometimes because it's so frustrating to not be able to do what we always did as fast as we always have.  But, it's about the journey, not how fast either of us paddle.

As I head back to work tomorrow after being off for the holidays I have a very calm lake to paddle through.  I've prepared as well as I know how for retirement.  I'm looking forward to spending extra special times with my hubby and making memories to hold for a lifetime with the extra time I'll have with my son.  I don't want to paddle so fast that I miss what the Creator wants me to learn from this journey I'm on right now.

Sometimes the Creator says it's time to get out of the lake for a rest. I look up, feel the warm sun on my face and loose all fear of what's behind the rock on shore or what's hidden in the reeds.  I just look toward the shoreline and see the rocks leading me to the shore for rest.  It's great to know there is rest from paddling!


Welcome to another amazing New Year with our Creator and... keep your eyes open for those rocks!