Barge and Tugboat

As I sit in our hotel room overlooking Lake Michigan this evening, a spry-looking, black-and-white tugboat is huffing through the mouth of a nearby river, pushing (rather than pulling) a huge barge piled high with stone.  The barge sits very low in the water, encumbered by (and yet obviously prepared to manage) the massive weight, as the tug does its job with spunky, tenacious precision.  This team is headed for the beautiful expanse of BIG WATER just ahead.  Looks like an adventure to me!

I must digress for just a minute. 

This is the final night of our memorable anniversary trip; sometime late tomorrow we’ll be home.  Looking back, I feel we’ve also been guided and propelled, almost as if we were the clueless barge at times, heading in some general direction, and the Lord intervened to nudge us along – scoot this way, try that, be inspired by this - with very unique guidance.  It’s been quite a journey in every way: emotional, spiritual, as well as geographical.

For example, the couple we met at the bed and breakfast – who knew we’d check out and then run into them again on the road many miles away where they’d offer valuable advice about sightseeing in an area where we knew NOTHING?  We would have missed that spectacular elevated view if not for them. 

How about just “happening” to intersect with a grand surprise - a stunning kite-propelled wake board performance along an otherwise wild Lake Superior shoreline?  Just few minutes earlier or later we would have missed the whole “show!” It seemed hardly coincidental, and perhaps ordained.

There’s no way to explain the unusual momentum and blessing of visiting old friends who exude patience, kindness, commitment, and – in the midst of their own trials – HOPE.  How could we help but be inspired and strengthened by their hospitality? Not to mention energized?  Renewed? And encouraged to live with passion?

Even tonight, a total stranger spontaneously mentioned a restaurant just a couple of blocks away from our hotel (we had no idea how to scout restaurants in the area, especially when we were jello-legged and foggy-brained with weariness).  This was the perfect spot to celebrate with our final “special” anniversary meal with exquisite food, a perfect waitress, and even an amazing slice of Snickers cheesecake!  I think we might have settled for a fast-food sandwich if the recommendation hadn’t practically slapped us in the face.

These are just a sampling.  It has truly felt like an anointed trip.

As I peer out the window, the tugboat and barge have disappeared from view into Lake Michigan in search of some distant destination.   We will likewise be headed home tomorrow, energized by a special celebratory week punctuated by unexpected blessings and the customized care of a gracious Father who watched over us all the way.  And He’ll continue to point and propel.....what peace of mind.