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| Every since my bike wreck, my legs and feet haven't been the same. Now they swell and burn like fire ants are biting. The degerative dics in my back have me standing crooked at times, too. But the days of parking lot pain are over! I got my Handicap parking permit so no longer will I have to stroll like a troll across huge lots! I get reserved front row parking, Amen! Yeah. PS: "In all things, give thanks!"..God.
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| When close friends hurt, it takes our own joy because we want them to be happy. That is what friends are for. Not to try to explain things, or be philosophical, just someone to share grief with. Heaven isn't even part of the thought. Only a big piece of our heart is missing. "Jesus wept", is a great verse. As God, Himself, Jesus grieved with those He loved. He could have told of heaven and the Father, but this time, His ministry was that of bearing one anothers burdens. He just wept. The reason was for their hurt but He then restored their joy. After just a brief exchange, He showed that He was the resurrection. That was much more meaningful than just popping people up out of the grave. Knowing a friend is there to share the hurt is without a doubt, the biggest comfort we have. Jesus is a friend like that, and He gives us others. They are helping by weeping, too. That's all that needs to be said.
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| You hurt, I hurt. I love you Joey.
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This is a very rare picture of what a tidal creek looks like in the marshes at low tide. When at high tide, it is easily paddled but once the low tide draws the water out, all that is left is the mud. You can't walk in it as you will sink to your waist or even deeper. Some have lost their lives this way. Why am I here? This is how. I went my way.
On my way to launch, I was excited about my trip. Been thinking about it all day and felt the leading of what to shoot and write about later that night. After making my way into the open water, I saw the sand bar that is uncovered at the onset of the low tide. Then I remembered the tidal creek and 'Jack's Cut' and how the last time I went through there, the Coast Guard pick my buddy and me up.
It was in the fall of 2004 and we had done everything paddlers were not supposed to do. We had no food or water, no proper clothing for the conditions, notified no one about our trip plans, and gathered no information about the conditions that day. Little did we know there would be a new moon and small craft advisories that evening.
Going through the cut was fine but somebody had the bright idea to go down to the mouth of the river and paddle back on the ocean side. Ever have your heart melt upon seeing an impossible task? Before we even got near the break water, we could hear the roar of the sea and it was deafening! I pulled up on the back side of the dune and told my buddy we need to look at what the ocean was up to because it was awfully loud. What I saw made my knees weak.
There was no way to go through those breakers. Waves 6 to 7 feet were pounding the beach and only the most advanced kayaker could stand a chance at that. We weren't even close. Just beginners and I was the only one who had even taken a safety course and a guided tour. Common sense to stay alive said to turn around so we headed back.
At high tide, every opening looks like a cut until you get to the end and run into the marsh. Then, it's back paddling until you can turn around and try another. We made several attempts but couldn't find the right cut before total darkness enveloped us. It was so dark, as the new moon was completely covered, we couldn't even see the marsh! Until the grassy marsh started hitting our face, we didn't know how close the bank was.
Eventually, the Coast Guard picked us up and having to leave my boats behind made me feel like a total failure. I let down my friend, worried his wife, the pastor, and even the prayer chain was activated for our rescue. It was 'Jacks' fault. He tricked me into thinking I was capable to lead my own tour and show what I know and how skilled I was at this kayaking. Yeah, he did it.
All of those memories came back and as I raced to get away from the sand bar, I wanted to beat 'Jack'. Since it was going to be low tide soon, I reasoned that I would easily find my way back as there wouldn't be any imposter's! After heading to the entrance, I saw a guided tour being led out and it never occurred to me as to why they were leaving at this particular time. So onward I go confidently!
"Sure is getting shallow and narrow but I'll be through in just a little bit" I thought. Never thinking I would run out of water. Then, there it was again, a sight that made my knees weak. The water so low I couldn't get through. It still had at least two hours before low tide and I knew I had to somehow turn around. After falling and sinking past my knees a few times, I turned my kayak around (my boat was wider than the creek at that point). As I attempted to paddle back, the mud finally got it's trophy.
I just sat there wondering, "what happened?" As you see in the picture, the outlook wasn't good. Darkness was coming soon and the tide wouldn't start filling the creek for at least 3 more hours. How did I get here? I kept thinking and praying. My heart was so heavy because I knew this wasn't the witness the Holy Spirit wanted me to give. Instead, I'm stranded by not using the wisdom He promised. I worried how this wasn't bringing glory to God. How can He be pleased when I confess to doing His will, then promply get into a life or death situation by plain stupidity? I had been here before and hadn't learned a thing. "Help me Lord" seemed to be unworthy for me to say. Still, I was sorry and only wished I could get another chance.
After a few moments, I felt the sense to lay down along my boat and sink my hands into the muck and pull my boat through the mud. I kept thinking how far it was back to the river, over a mile maybe two. How can I do this? I have a bad shoulder from being injured in the service and had gotten a medical discharge for it. It is still separated and hurts quite often, but what are my choices? I remembered that a lot of creatures hunt at night and the urgency to get out started pressing on my spirit instead of just waiting for the tide to come in. Dying was not in my head, but I learned it has happened to others like this so I started pulling.
Through the bends, I was hoping to see the river every time, but finding another stretch of mud sapped my energy. I laid there on my boat, face down in mud praying,"Give me strength, Lord, please. In Jesus' name." After a few minutes, I was pulling again until something brought me to a sudden stop. I've heard that scraping sound before...oyster beds!
Those are as sharp as razors and the only way to get over was to hop out and pull my boat. "That's gonna hurt tomorrow!" I fell on the bed and both legs instantly had red streaks covering them, evidence that they are as sharp as advertised. As I pulled the kayak and walked through the oyster bed, it was now past sunset. "How many hours has it been", I wondered. At least 2 and low tide is still an hour away.
"Whoa, that was deep!" Just as soon as I ran out of the oyster bed, the mud tried to claim another trophy, me! I had sunk up to my waist in one step! Holding on to my boat was another instinct I was so glad I listened to. I can't see at all now, just the outline of the glow of Tybee Island.
The creek started to get wider and my pulling became easier. Soon it was deep enough to paddle. After 4 oyster beds, I was not hopeful I could stay in my boat. Surely I will have to fall out again, probably around this next bend. But then I heard something. What's that noise? Could it be my friend, the Atlantic? No moon again, but the stars reveled the opening I had given up on seeing until the next day. The exhaustion I was holding in came flooding out as I paddled to the beach head on Little Tybee. Everything hurt. The warmth was gone with the sun, too. But I was thankful. I'm alive. Just a little paddle across the back river and I'm headed home. That mile was almost like two as the final stages of the low tide and the river current wanted to push me out to sea.
I was thinking about what a waste the day was until it hit me. I didn't follow what the Spirit had been leading me to do all morning. I had a great plan to paddle around to the Tybee Lighthouse, take some awesome pics and tell of who lights our way and how we should be a light, too. Instead, I went my way.
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 And....."do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own" Matt. 6:34, niv. Key point is (1st) give thanks and (2nd) don't worry. Shows God our confidence in Him, amen? Yeah! |
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