What a Beautiful World

Yesterday, I discovered that a shorter kayak paddle is harder to use. When I was in REI getting my bike fixed, I had asked the kayak man if the paddle really mattered. He insisted it did. He told me the ideal paddle length is the height of my outstretched arm to toe. I have been using a paddle about 1/3 too big by his measure. So yesterday, I grabbed a paddle from my collection in the car that only reached the tip of my outstretched arm to my toe. Within just a few minutes, my shoulders ached, my wrists ached, and I was half dead. After just an hour or paddling, I was done. I could not go any further. My old friends the turtles were racing me and winning. Either I am getting old, or the longer paddle is better for me. But as in most disappointing things, there was a silver lining.

Too tired to climb into the car to drive home right away, I sat on a white rocking chair on the marina building porch. I looked out over the Catawba river. A cool breeze came off the river and blew across my weary face. No one else was around. The sun sparkled and danced on the wind driven waves while osprey swooped. I wished I could talk my folks into a visit. Sitting on this porch would singlehandedly make the 11 hour drive worth it. I rocked quietly and watched this beloved river. God has surely made a beautiful world.

Psalm 21:6 (NIV)
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.





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