A very long time ago, Randy preached a sermon called “Other Boats”. It was based on the account of when Jesus was with his disciples on the sea of Galilee. ‘On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].” So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him.

I’ve often thought about that sermon and that phrase - “other boats were with Him.” Why did the author include that sentence. What did he want us to remember? Where can I apply this to my life.

I get seasick quite easily. I remember a trip to the Caribbean several years ago where we signed up for a snorkling tour and the sea was a tad bit wild. A bit. Not overly but……the boat we travelled on to reach the reef - bounced up and down and down and up. When we reached the area where we would snorkle - it wasn’t much calmer however, like a good sport, I donned my snorkel and fins and jumped into the water. After a few minutes, I grabbed onto Randy’s arm and managed to tell him that I didn’t feel well. He pulled me over to the boat and shoved me over the side. I lay on floor of the boat with literally, my stomach and head rolling - I couldn’t see straight. I closed my eyes! I prayed! I leaned over the side and heaved my cookies into the ocean.

I can only imagine how the disciples felt that night so long ago on the Sea of Galilee. The wind raged - the waves pounded - the men with Jesus were terrified - but in a one succinct sentence - with a word from Jesus - everything quieted down. A miracle.

While I don’t love the motion of the seas - I do love the part in this story where it was recorded that there were other boats with them. They were not alone in this storm. Neither am I. And neither are you.

It’s important to reach out to the other boats. It’s imperative that we not ever walk alone. It’s also so important to let others reach out to us.

Young mom - tired of folding endless diapers (do people still fold diapers) - night feedings - countless reading of the same storybook - preparing meal after meal - washing and drying clothes - struggling to get your toddlers in and out of their snowsuits -know that there are boatloads of other young moms who want to walk along side of you and share life together.

Grandparent - living with aches and pains of an aging body - living with the heartache of children who are upset with you - living far away from your grandchildren - living with the fear that the income you worked so hard for all your life will not last - watching your friends and loved ones pass away - there are boatloads of seniors who share these same realities and will walk along side of you and share life together.

Separated/Divorced/Widowed Sister - living with the devastation of your marriage cut short - eating supper alone night after night - going to events by yourself - sleeping alone in your big bed - wondering if you’ll be able to get by financially - grief that pounds on your heart like the waves on the shore - you aren’t going through this alone - there are boatloads of women who are also in the same situations and will cry with you, hold you, advise you and walk your journey with you.

Teenager - trying not to say or do anything stupid that would attract negative attention in your classroom - learning to exert independence in certain areas yet maintaining honour and obedience to your parents - trying to juggle school work and sports and after school jobs and family and friends and not quite sure how to cope with them all - there are boatloads of youth pastors and aunts and uncles and grandparents and friends who will encourage you - challenge you - bless you - hang out with you and walk your journey with you.

Dads - trying to be the best husband - the best father - the best employee - the best neighbour - the best coach - the best - the best - the best - but struggling in one or more of these relationships - hang on - there are boatloads of other dads who want to be a part of your life to encourage you - to be your friend - to listen to you - to laugh with you - to shoot some hoops with you - to share your journey with you.

The thing is - there are other boats all around us who will - if we are willing - who will enter into our lives to love and support us.

I had our boys in pretty quick succession - January 1982, April 1983 and August 1984. I was that young mom up to my ears in babies and diapers and little sleep. There were other boats around me at that time who reached out to me - to care for me and my littles - to do my laundry - to mop my floors - to hug me when I was overwhelmed - to bring us meals when I was too tired to cook - who babysat our three wee sons and gifted us with money to go out for dinner - who took me shopping for new clothes - who challenged me how to love my husband - who shared my journey with me. I’m forever grateful.

Have you watched Moana? I have! I watched Moana 2 last night with Adele and Indigo while their parents and brothers were at hockey. I’m still not sure of what all happened (I may have napped during the movie) but I got the basic gist of the story……and I noticed two things! When Moana and her crew left their island to go search for people - all the boats from their small island accompanied them to the reef - to encourage them and send them off! Hmmmm! Interesting. And lovely. And meaningful. The second thing I noticed was upon Moana’s return to her island. After an hour and a half of watching rolling oceans, watching them getting into messes and getting out etc. - they find what they’ve been looking for - people. I was excited for them. And then this! The last scene of the movie shows their boat arriving back at their island and then the camera pans behind them - so many boats accompanying them - so many boats with them - as far as the eye could see. They were never alone.

There are so many boats out there - ships - canoes - yachts - cruisers - sailboats - kayaks - rafts - ferries - schooners - catamarans - dinghies - sloops - steamboats - rowboats - pontoons - freighters and more - all waiting to accompany you in your journey.

Reach out to them. Don’t give up. Accept the other boat in your life.

Or - be the other boat!