A Whale of a Tale

Once upon a time…a few days ago…our daughter was swallowed up by the ocean. She was spit out pretty quickly or her mom would have had more time to react. I just saw a wave gradually growing larger behind a smiling daughter. She was all set to ride it when it made a sudden lunge, she disappeared, head and feet rolled near the shore, and seconds later I grabbed her hand. Scratches and a head full of water later, she recovered and, now, has a tale to tell. I would guess she is also a bit changed.

When I get roughed up and beaten down, it hurts at the time, but looking back, those moments are often transformational. Those are moments when I have learned to listen in the depths. I am thankful the ocean spewed her back out onto dry land.

I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me…all your waves and your billows passed over me. The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me…I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you. – from Jonah