God's Symbols Are SO Obvious Sometimes

I saw the bald eagle again, soaring high above me as I kayaked up against the rapids on the section of the Catawba River that is my new favorite place. I made it much more easily up against the rapids this time than I did a couple of days ago so I am either getting stronger or learning the best pathway. However, when I hit the Class Two rapids, I made no headway. I could not get over them against the current.

I am not defeated forever, but did give up for the day. I paddled as hard as I could and was just stationary in the water. Next time I will try a different path. This time, I turned my boat, and raced downstream at a really exciting, fun pace.

Of course, I sought the symbolism of the day. I love symbols, and that is often how God speaks to me. I was sitting in the froth of the rapids, trying desperately to go against the strong force of the current racing against me over the barely submerged rocks. I was not making any headway, and I was working as hard as I could not to lose ground.

Life is like that sometimes. I noticed my bank account has been like that lately. No sooner do I start to save when a major expense comes up... like a mouthguard that is NOT covered by insurance but is absolutely necessary for a massive tooth grinder and jaw clencher like me. How much could that be, you ask? Don't ask. It would make you start grinding your own teeth.

Back to my symbol.

Now I could sit in the froth of the rapids wearing myself out till every ounce of strength was gone while I made NO progress. Or I could reassess. I could decide that perhaps my energy might be better used elsewhere. I could choose to tackle a different route upstream albeit with depleted energy. Or I could decide that for now, I was not going to travel forward, and it was best to enjoy the ride back to shore and reconsider the wisdom or even possibility of the endeavor.

This is a TRUE story I am about to tell. While I was out there battling the current, I got a phone call. My phone is mounted on my kayak. I answered it on speaker phone while huffing and puffing against the current.  I was asked to do something that seemed impossible, but I really felt it needed to be done, so I agreed. I was all set to do it. It involved a confrontation I was NOT eager to have. However, I rarely shirk from anything I feel I need to do. But, I just couldn't quite manage to dial the number. I was stuck in the froth of the rapids, paddling against a feeling that would not let me go. Was this confrontation wise? Godly? Might it even cause more harm than good?

So I held my ground, paddling as hard as I could not to be blasted backwards, and I prayed. Then I sought the counsel of a Godly person I respect who suggested perhaps it was not my place to confront in that situation. I agreed. I was swept away with relief. It felt just like skimming along with the current back to shore. I no longer needed to go against the impossible deluge of the rapids. I Let Go and Let God carry me swiftly with the current to fight that upstream battle another day.

God often works this way in my life. He sends symbols that are laughingly obvious in parallel to some struggle I am enduring. It is one of the million or so reasons that I know God loves me and is personally interested in me. And if He is personally interested in me, I guarantee He is personally interested in you.
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Psalm 23:1-6 

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...