All Will Be Well

Today, I am remembering an evening from a few years ago when I found myself stranded on a broken-down boat in the middle of a lake with my wife and two youngest sons.  

We were a good four hundred yards from shore at the time, and darkness was approaching.  We tried calling for an emergency tow and were informed by the towing company that it would cost us over $700.  

At that point, I felt like I had no choice.  So, I stripped off my t-shirt, grabbed the tow line and jumped into the lake.  For the next hour, I swam toward shore, pulling the boat behind me while the sky grew darker and darker.  We finally made it to shore--landing at the first wooden dock that was unoccupied, where I collapsed in exhaustion.  

Two things happened at that moment.  First, my wife peered over the side of the boat at me, and said: "My hero!"  I have to admit, that felt pretty good.  If I accomplish nothing else in life, it would be enough to be her hero.    

Then I heard a little voice in my head tell me:  "Dude, you just did that.  You just pulled a boat four hundred yards... in the dark!"  And I replied to the little voice, "Yeah, I guess I did... and I saved $700!"  

People misquote the Bible all of the time, but one of the most popular misquotes I've heard is the one where someone will say, "Well, God won't give you more than you can handle."  

I've actually discovered that we are frequently given more than we can handle.  We are frequently met with challenges where it feels like God is urging us to trust more, to rely more on the limited strength that we have, and know that God will cover our weakness in grace... 

Moments where we are compelled to simply dive in and start swimming.  

One of my favorite quotes is from the 13th-century mystic, St. Julian of Norwich, who wrote: 

"All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well." 

I am often reminded of Julian's mantra, especially when it feels like all manner of things won't be well.  It emboldens me to plunge more deeply into my belief that God is working in the midst of even the most difficult moments.  

Where are you being called to dive in and start swimming today?  What challenges are you facing that you are worrying you won't be able to meet?  Practice saying Julian's prayer today, and keep making your way to shore.  "All will be well... and all manner of things will be well."  

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.