Thursday, March 17

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17

It was a camp for adults to grow spiritually and to experience the program for senior high youth who normally attended the camp every week of the summer. Our children were with their grandparents, and Jim and I were enjoying some rare time together, just the two of us. In addition to excellent speakers and good food we para-sailed around the lake, water skied, slid down a mammoth water slide and canoed to a small island for breakfast at sunrise. So it’s no wonder that we thought, “Why not try sailing?”

Our first trip around the lake was exhilarating, but suddenly a strong wind came up and we tried everything we had been told to do and more to get back to shore. It was in vain, and the boat capsized. Using the little bit of emergency knowhow we had received at orientation, we were able to right the sailboat and get back in. Then some people in a much larger sailboat came by and began to yell directions to us in boating terms that we didn't understand. We tried to follow their advice but with little success. Finally, a young man in a motorboat arrived and helped us put down the sail and towed us back to the dock. Relieved to be on solid ground again, we thanked him and ran to dry off and get warm.

That evening after supper we were singing in front of the fireplace before the evening meeting began. As we sang “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?” we looked up and realized that the young man leading the singing was the same person who towed us to shore that afternoon. The words to the song took on a new, deeper meaning for both of us.

Ever-present loving God, thank you for the many, many ways you reveal yourself and your plans to us. Help us to be aware of your presence in our lives today and help us to be your hands for others. In your Son's name. Amen.

Suzanne Bates

from the 1995 Lenten Devotional