Mambo Beach | Traveling in Faith

A Safe Haven in the Storm

As I sat at breakfast watching the ship dock, I was amazed at the strength and power of the pilot boat as she guided the ship into the harbor and worked tirelessly taking the ropes from the ship to the shore so the ship could be tethered. One rope at a time. It was a slow and methodical process but it was done with precision and mastery. This boat, while small compared to the massive ship, had a critical job in safely navigating the ship and securely anchoring her to the dock.

A pilot boat doing her job in Antigua’s harbor. Yes, Antigua! I was so enthralled watching the little boat in Curacao, I didn’t take a picture!

While her job is extremely important, she doesn’t get much recognition. She looks rather ordinary, is much smaller and dirtier than the cruise ships, and looks tired and worn from the heat and being thrown about during the storms. But day after day, she comes back to proudly do her job.

As a mom, the analogy of the pilot boat truly hit home. I’ve always said it is the most difficult and challenging job I will ever have but by far the most rewarding and important. Like most moms, I’ve garnered my share of scars and dirt over the years. There are many days I too look tired and worn trying to keep things organized, working full-time, attending sporting events, running errands and taking care of the house, my husband and the pups. Yes, there are days when I just want to sleep in. Yes, there are days when I just want to cry. But, each day I get up and do what I’m called to do.

Isn’t this true of most of us? Regardless of our calling, we can be taken for granted, we are often unrecognized and many times not appreciated. But if we didn’t get up each day and perform our job, we would be letting down those who are depending on us.

Lock Your Love on the “Punda Love Heart” by Carlos Blaaker.

God gifted each of us uniquely. Whether you are a parent or guardian guiding and protecting a children, or a physician counseling and caring for patients, or a farmer tending to his crops or herds, or a violinist playing in an orchestra, or a waitress courteously serving her patrons, or a custodian keeping a venue clean, or a priest leading his congregation, we all have a role to play.

We’re not expected to look or perform perfectly. We will not always be on our “A” game but if we perform our duties with love, grace and humility, we will stay secure in God’s love and anchored in our faith.

The theme of security and anchoring would surface again during our tour of the island. Curacao just happens to be outside of the hurricane belt and the “rich and famous” bring their yachts to these harbors to avoid impending storms. Curacao provides them a safe haven. The seas may get rough and the winds may swirl but there is peace and a certain calm knowing their precious boats are safe.

Isn’t this what God does for us? No matter what is going on in our lives, He is there to love and protect us. We will weather many storms throughout our lives but if we keep close to our Heavenly Father and heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will come out stronger, more humble and with a more grateful spirit.

The Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge in Willemstad, Curacao.