My father taught me knot-tying, how to steer a boat in a storm and when not to go out in the boat. I never needed these skills later in life. But what I learned from this was the sense of security I felt that my father trusted me to dock the boat, maintain its upkeep and practice safety measures – all at the age of 13.
In our lives, we needed a dock, but also the safe haven and sheltering arms and love of Jesus. Our parents taught us that one’s life is not just physical, but also spiritual – by living examples, not just empty words.
Many of us are blessed to be able to choose our own safe havens or docks where we moor ourselves before venturing out into the daily life of the world.
Where is your safe haven in the temporal world? Is it a person or a place? Do you have a devoted family member or friend who knows who you really are and loves you in spite of – or because of – it?
This message is excerpted from “Trust of our fathers” by Barbara Miller from the June 14, 2018, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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