Rolling, Rolling, Rolling on the river...

If you've ever gone river rafting, you know there is a great deal of instruction before you ever get on the boat. Lots of preparation before you strap on your life jacket.


One rule applies to you should you fall out of your raft (this is after you try to get above water, gasp for air, and find out exactly where you are in the water).


That rule is: Point yourself, feet first, down stream. Get on your back, arms folded across your chest. The theory is that you can see where you're going this way and your feet will hit any big rocks, or boulders, before you and your head do, thus acting to save your sorry ole life. (Since you fell out of the raft in the first place.)


Hopefully, you are wearing a life vest, which will help keep you afloat.
Hopefully, you remember to do as you're instructed, should you capsize out of your raft.


At which point, if you have accomplished all the "hopefully's", you should be able to either
float with the current into the shore, or be rescued by another passing raft.


The past month for me has been just that.

We were capsized, tipped out, out of our raft and thrust into the bowels of the raging river.
When we fell out we frantically tried to gasp for air, and gather ourselves together, and
get our bearings. Which way were we headed?

The river has swirled, and rushed, all around us. It sometimes knocks us under, leaving us very disoriented and frustrated.

We were wearing our life jackets and so we did not drown, but sometimes we were headfirst, instead of footfirst, going down the river and we've been whacked on our heads once or twice.

Now, we are going with the current, feet first, armed crossed on our chests, trying to see where it takes us and when we will be rescued.

It takes a LOT of faith to trust in the Lord and hope that HE sees the big picture better than we do. Believe me, a LOT of faith.
It is hard to give yourself over to the river, and see where the current takes you.
Or when you will be rescued.


Somc days are very hard, and we suffer with that "drowning feeling" again,
Some days, we float along, life vest straps tugged tightly around us, and feel the strength that comes from prayers, and love, and friends.

Until our journey is complete, we will keep rolling. Rolling on the river. Feet first, watching.

Hoping for a rescue before we drown.


But hope is what keeps us afloat! Thank goodness for hope!