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Smooth Cruising
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August 1, 2009, my wife, Shannon, and I took Greater Things, my boat that I have had since 2002, to the local sandbar to meet friends and family for some fun in the sun. It was a glorious sunny South Florida day. There were a few puffy clouds in the sky, a southeasterly wind and gentle waves on the water.
When we arrived at the boat it was my hope that my mechanic had been by to fix the starboard engine. Lately it has been temperamental about starting. He has determined that the gas is not being sucked up from the gas tank to the fuel injector on the engine. (I know this because this has been a problem on and off for the past month or so) I hoped that he had gotten there during the week and that both of my inboard 350 horsepower engines would fire up and purrrrrrrrrr.
No such luck.
The reliable port (left) engine started on cue. But, the starboard (right) engine made a sound that said, "I want to start but I don't have any juice coming to my fuel injector."
We were at the point of decision. Do we take the boat out with one engine or do we keep it at the dock and miss out on seeing our friends and family members at the sandbar. We decided to take it out on one engine instead of two.
So, we cast off the forward and the aft lines and backed out of the slip into the Intercoastal Waterway across from Jupiter Island, Florida. Jupiter Island is home to several celebrities such as Celine Dion, Alan Jackson, Olivia Newton John, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and many corporate leaders and old moneyed families. The natural beauty of the island far surpasses its inhabitants, which is probably why they choose to live there. It is absolutely gorgeous. In fact, if you are ever in the area, you can take a ride on the
Manatee Queen and see this first hand for yourself.
So, we are backing out of the slip under one engine into the Intercoastal Waterway. The Southeastern Sea Breeze is about 10 knots. Gentle, yet firm. Typically, when I am captaining Greater Things with two engines, it is easy to navigate tides, currents, breezes and the like. However, under one engine, the boat handles like a big cork being powered by a rubber band and an oar. In other words, there is very little control.
I don't know about you, but I don't like not being in control. It makes me nervous. If I am not careful, it can make me very anxious. And, if I let those two things get to me I can even be pretty cranky.
The reason I know this is because that is exactly the way I behaved once we got out on the water and the current, wind and waves tossed the boat around like a cork. Once I realized I had no control no matter how hard I tried to steer the boat, no matter how hard I tried to rev the Port Engine, no matter how loud I yelled, I finally decided that I better try a different approach.
So, I decided to use the wind to my advantage, go with the flow of the current at times, not over control the boat and keep my cool when the boat was turned around facing the opposite direction.
An amazing thing happened. The ride was more enjoyable. I was more fun to be around (even to myself). And, eventually, we actually made it to our destination. We dropped the forward and the aft anchors and enjoyed several hours on the sandbar with our friends and our family. And, we even made a few new friends.
Our time on the sandbar was great. The tide started coming in and covering the sandbar. It was time to pack up our beach chairs, cooler and other goodies, along with our memories and new found friendships. It was time to fire up the Port Engine. It was time to hoist both the forward and aft anchors to their proper places on Greater Things and to get underway northward to our dock. Slowly, intentionally, gingerly….enjoying each other's company…the lessons of the day….and the blessings of old friendships, family and the new beginning of budding friendships.
I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems that our lives are running on one engine, not two. We can either decide to stay at the Dock and play it safe or we can decide to work with what we have and move forward enjoying our friends and family. We can choose to learn to work with the currents, sea breezes, tides and the waves that come our way. We have the choice to give up control and to work with, not against, the elements and opportunities before us.
So, if you are going through some offbeat times in your life, please understand that God has given you all you need to succeed in every way possible. If you find yourself filled with anxiety, frustration, fear and worries because it feels as if life is out of control, then change your strategy. Focus on leveraging that which appears to be your enemy or nemesis to work in your favor.
Then set your sights on your goals and reach your best possible destination: A place with friends, family, new friends, and God's great and beautiful creation. Then, give thanks. And know God's peace and prosperity in all you do.
Here's to smooth cruising.
