My Favorite Port of Call

“Honey, did you see the suntan lotion?” I called out to my hubby.

As I stuffed various items into my suitcase, I anticipated the best cruise ever.

We’d worked hard all year long. We sacrificed and at times, had emotional indigestion from the stress that life brought.

As I zipped my suitcase, jammed with sundresses, sandals and swimwear, I could almost feel the ocean breeze through my hair.

As Hubby moved my bag from the bedroom to the front door, he huffed. “What do you have in this?” he asked. “It weighs a ton.”

“Hey, bud…it’s girl stuff,” I said.

We relished every moment of that cruise. We delighted in exquisite dishes. Walked on the beach, and at night, we swayed to the music at the shows.

“Thank You, Lord,” I said in my heart one night as the ship rocked back and forth. The movement was as gentle as my thoughts of this luxurious get-away. I muttered silly wishes for this week to last longer and for more frequent vacations. For us to have enough funds to slow our crazy work routine and relax more often.

The last day came; we relished in one more mouth-watering gourmet dish and scraped our last dessert plate.

Then all ended. The ship docked. The cruise was over. All passengers dragged their suitcases off the ship. Back to real life; back to the ruthless work, worries, fear and demands.

But this time, something happened. Something changed and clarity filled my mind. On the way home, I felt another breeze—right through my soul.

I’ve been walking through life backwards. God didn’t want us to spend our days living to work, but working out a life guided by His plans, directed by His agenda and measured by His standards.

No more self-imposed worry or fear because, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

With renewed wisdom, we embarked on a permanent vacation from worry and fear. Carrying bags filled with trust in God, we stepped on the cruise ship of His faithfulness. Knowing He’s the divine captain, my trust increased. When glitches brought tension, the island of His peace came to view.

When the uncertainty for tomorrow stirred worry, the soft breeze of His promise caressed my soul. And the wind of His voice whispered that He was in control of my every moment and in His hands are all my tomorrows.

When the waters of my day turn rough, He slows down the pace. When moments of unexpected setbacks rock my life, His grace brings the steady course back, and when thunder announces a sudden storm, His comfort brings sleep back into my nights.

Rather than look for the suntan lotion, I find the Bible and pack God’s truth in the suitcase of my soul. While sipping the refreshing water of His Word, I gaze at the horizon of yet another port-of-call: another island of peace carefully outlined in His map and purposefully marked in my itinerary.