Paddling With One Oar

Right after we "finished" sprucing up the sun porch, I spied something in one of our favorite antique stores: an old oar. 

Okay, maybe I'm not quite finished with my sprucing. Just this one last nautical touch. 

But, even though a sale tag dangled from it, the price was more than we wanted to pay for the oar, so we passed on it, deciding to think it over. I came home (now convinced that I "needed" an oar on the sun porch) and searched the internet market. Eek. Most were costlier than the one we had seen in the shop.

Oh well. We'll just keep our eyes out for an oar. Maybe we'll stumble on one some day . . . 

The following week, Ron returned home from a day out with his brother and brother-in-law at a steam show and flea market. "I have a surprise for you," he said. "Meet me on the sun porch."

He went out to retrieve my surprise and came in with . . . 

An old, weathered, perfectly gray-blue oar! 

I love it . . . even more than the one at the antique shop! It is prettier. It only cost $20. And it was a thoughtful gift from my sweetheart who not only noticed it in the myriad of items at the flea market, but bargained for it, and then had to drag the cumbersome thing around with him until they found a shuttle to my brother-in-law's truck. Priceless! 

Some women may want diamonds or expensive vacations. I am happy with my oar!

Have you ever felt like you were paddling with one oar? 

You get the picture? You're paddling as hard as you can, but with that one oar, your boat just keeps spinning around in circles and you're not making any progress? 

That's kind of how this summer has seemed.

So far the highlights (lowlights) have been driver's ed and dental surgery. Because that is what we have accomplished.

Two different beach outings? Cancelled. A "grand" summer sleepover? Postponed. Rescheduled. Postponed again.

Between our families, we have had strep throat, a Morton's neuroma, respiratory viruses, bronchitis, scarlet fever, hives, ear infection, and I may have left something out. Sigh . . .

Yes, it does feel like we're paddling 'round and 'round and not making much headway.

But . . . 

Is summer "fun" what it's all about?

Do we expect things to always go our way?

Are we learning and growing through our struggles and through our disappointments?

Are we depending on Him to direct our steps?

Are we trusting His goodness in our lives, knowing that it doesn't always look like what we pictured?

Can we accept the detours as readily as the anticipated route?

Could it be that when we think we are paddling 'round and 'round that we really are making progress, and that, in spite of our crazy paddling, the boat is moving closer to our destination? 

Dental surgery update:

First of all, thank you all for your prayers and your kind words! I have recovered surprisingly well! For the first few days, my jaws were sore and stiff and swollen, but the pain was manageable. Motrin, Tylenol, and ice were my friends. After mid-week, each day brought improvement. I have a big, ugly bruise to show for my troubles.

Even though I felt that I could probably do more, I gave myself permission to rest last week. Rest and healing go hand in hand, and it was refreshing both physically and mentally to put down the to-do list and the obligations. (I have to admit that I enjoyed my blogging break too.)

I am so grateful to the Lord for successful surgery and a smooth recovery!