A good representation here, a lone man on a paddleboard 

navigating waters at sunset.

This is not my personal photo, but captures the beauty of Canyon Lake when I enjoyed a boat ride down and back for 90 minutes.

Spending a week in Arizona–outside of the gloomy gray snowy rainy days that Michigan offers was a welcome relief recently. Boarding a plane in Detroit wearing leggings, shoes, and a warm sweater soon gave way to what Phoenix in March has to offer…sunshine, warm breezes, temperatures that don’t require being bundled under heavy coats and blankets. And! The welcome wearing of flip flops with freshly manicured toes peeking through comfortable shoes the entire week!

Traveling to new or familiar places offers me two of my favorite activities–1) meeting and talking to new people and 2) seeing the beauty of God’s Creation. Both never cause me to feel empty or bored as I venture out to enjoy “down” time.

When it comes to people I don’t know my kids will tell you I “interview”…admittedly, I do. I ask questions. I’m curious. I like filling the void of quiet with conversations. I think my ability to ask and chat makes for a friendlier community and well, world. I learned a long time ago to acknowledge people, especially those who are in a role serving me…as examples…when I approached the kiosk in the airport for my boarding pass, a nice woman greeted me and I returned a cheery “good evening”...I told her I was headed directly to security and she let me know I didn’t need to print my boarding pass. Her name was Holly and I told her “what a pretty name” and she grinned, responding “I like your necklace.”

After Holly I met up with the young man directing travelers through the ropes guiding us to security. Over and over I heard him say “please keep moving. Have your boarding pass and identification ready please.” When I got in front of him I said, “You’d be a rich man if you had $5 for every time you said that!” He laughed, realizing he’d never thought of that equation …”what would you do if you suddenly became rich?” I inquired.

“Oh, I’d quit this job, buy a big boat, take you with me and sail around the world.”

“Goodness…”I don’t think my husband would like that!”

“He can come with us! I’m not that kind of guy….”

He’s young. I really hope he gets that boat someday. And a pretty young woman his age to enjoy waves and sunsets.

Getting through security was a breeze….walking and watching a young couple with a toddler son go through the baggage scanning…the body scan…explaining to him that his “teddy bear” needed to have its picture taken and he could have it back real soon. The little boy’s name was Boston….when all of us got to a chair to put our shoes back on I remarked on dad’s Boston Red Sox hat…the little boy’s name…and advised them that my son in law was a diehard Red Sox fan and named his dog Fenway. Not able to resist temptation, I suggested that a future child could be named Fenway…dad laughed…mom smirked at me with a polite smile but wrinkled face that screamed “don’t give him any ideas’ ‘….beautiful family. Wonder if they’ll discuss my suggestion any time in their future?

Along with quaint conversations is my love for lessons that come through “word pictures”. The man on the above paddle board represents a powerful lesson in strategy for me and came to me after returning back home. My friend Cathy and I enjoyed a boat ride on Canyon Lake and during the return trip we encountered two people on their paddleboards. In the middle of the lake, they paddled with strength and agility making their way back to the boat launch. One of them actually came quite close to our boat as we created a small wake beside and behind our vessel. That’s when I got a good glimpse of the paddle board…its shape, much like a surfboard, a strong cord attached to the paddler’s ankle in case they became disconnected from one another, the lone paddle being dipped and pulling the water back as the athlete glided on the water’s surface. I could see that this sport was not for the timid or weak beginner…the launch was a good way’s off in the distance, strength and endurance was necessary getting back to the safety of shore.

Realizing the effort that goes into the sport of paddleboarding made me think of my own struggles…my recovery working through food addiction…codependency…fear…anger…to succeed I need people to come alongside me. I need the right equipment and the training that comes with the effort. I need practice using my equipment and must do so with diligence after starting slowly and building up to steady as I go….my anchor that keeps me safe and connected to my “board” is Christ…if I fall or get off track He pulls me back…my paddle is the Word of God…scripture is alive, it speaks and is useful for every challenge that tries to force its energy on a weak mind or body….I have people in my life that encourage me or hold me accountable for my actions…the boat launch is God Himself…He is strong, steady, a rock waiting for me to land on, cling to, walk away from troublesome waters and resume my journey on solid ground. Every adventure on my paddleboard–smooth waters or not–is time with God right beside me every stroke of the journey. Difficulties may produce a “wake” that tosses my paddleboard to and fro, but soon God’s calming presence makes the ripples settle down and become part of the water’s looking glass mirror….

People and paddleboards…both offer me a lot of curious and fun opportunities to chit chat my way through a day…learn incredible simple life lessons from the simplicity and beauty of God’s creation and those brave enough to turn a board into the adventure of a lifetime!