Under Inflated
May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. – Psalm 20:4 (NIV)
Last year, I added an inflatable stand-up paddle board to an existing armada of inflatable kayaks. But before you picture me floating down the Mississippi on a pool toy, let me assure you these are tough little crafts. Made with drop stitch technology, when inflated properly they feel as hard as a traditional surfboard and you can drag them over river rocks. In other words, not one of these is shaped like a giant swan or pink flamingo.
My paddling pal makes fun of how much time I spend obsessing over my paddling gear for a couple of hours on the water. I need my two bottles of ice water, bungie cords so I don’t lose my shoes, a first-aid kit, life jacket, and a small safety knife in case I am ever attacked by an aggressive eagle who tries to tie me up.
“Stop puttering and let’s just get out there,” she says, “because as usual, we’re heading out like a herd of turtles!” She’s right. I need the nudge.
And yet on a recent trip, I saw her inflatable board sink a bit in the middle, suddenly a bit wobbly and wiggly as her paddling started to look a lot harder than mine. In her enthusiasm to “just get out there,” she had under inflated her board. Next trip, I’ll pull her back to patience and planning, and that time, I will be right.
I love the wisdom in Psalm 20, where our heart’s desires and our plans are not at odds with one another but linked together by a God who wants the best for us.
Prayer
May your plans be adventurous and may your adventures be safe. Amen.
About the AuthorLillian Daniel is Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa. She is the author of Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don’t Belong To and When “Spiritual but not Religious” is Not Enough.