Through Deep Waters and Shallows

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Fair warning, dear moms: Any story that begins, “So the guy at the bait shop said…” is going to be a doozy.

Here goes…

So the guy at the bait shop said that if we started out kayaking at the mouth of the river, it would be only 4 miles to the next docking station/place where my husband and two other children could go fishing and meet us. My cell phone was dead, but no biggie. It’s only 4 miles. What could go

Isaiah rise on wings

Psalm 139:9-10

wrong?

My teenage daughter and I set off on our merry way, drinking in the sights and sounds of nature, getting stuck in shallow parts, and getting propositioned by a group of, what appeared to be inebriated folks on inflatable rafts, to pull them downriver for $20 (we declined, but, I have to admit, I found their situation somewhat humorous, as they were literally up the “creek” without a paddle). We were greeted by several gorgeous Great Blue Herons, a beaver, a woodpecker, an owl, and, for almost two miles were led by a BALD EAGLE, who flew from one side to the other in front of us, again and again for those couple of miles. It was just breathtaking!

Then, my daughter ran into a tree and got a lovely gash across her forehead (she was also thrown off a horse earlier in the day! What a trooper!)

We crossed the four mile marker. No dock.

Five miles.

Six. Seven…

 The sun was about to set. It became eerily dark. The bats, of course, came out, casting spooky bat-sized shadows above and around us. And we had no idea how much further it would be. We finally passed a cabin but the bank was too high, so we pushed forward. I was having difficulty seeing very far in front of me, and, um, felt a little panic attack coming on. OK, truth is. I was scared, and scared to tell my daughter that I was scared. I said a few prayers, told her we were going to be alright, and that we just need to keep moving forward. She was getting more than a little scared. I got stuck, again, in a shallow part, and this time, couldn’t get free. I struggled, and tried not to show my panic. I got out of the kayak, drenching myself, of course, and pushed it out of rocks, and somehow managed to get back in it before it floated away in the dark. We kept pushing forward. But after a while, I felt the need to call out for help. Our voices echoed through the trees. I thought I heard a man yell back at one point, but wasn’t sure.

When I finally located a little spot to dock, we pulled up to it, jumped out of the kayaks, and kept yelling for help. We climbed up the bank, grateful for enough light to see that I almost ran straight into an electric fence. We yelled “help” some more, as we climbed to the top of the bank, where a vast field lay before us.

Someone yelled back.

After a minute, I noticed two figures headed our way, from the other end of the field.  Leaning cautiously over the electric wire, I watched as the two men approached us, asked if they had a cell phone. One guy handed me his. I called my husband, and had the rescuer tell him just where on earth we were. The two rescuers carried our kayaks up the bank and across the field, refusing to let us help. But, bless their hearts, they forgot to tell me where the fence was on the other side (!!!).

 Got my soaking-wet-self SHOCKED (OK that was kind of funny, I have to admit!).  

When we reached the one rescuer’s house, we noticed that a party was ensuing. The nice young gentleman told me that his fiancée heard us yelling, despite the noise, but no one else at the party had heard. She had him check it out anyway (OH am I ever grateful!). After a brief conversation, I told them where we were from, which happened to be about two hours away. I learned that she graduated from the school district we live in. She asked me what street I lived on. I told her. They told us out they are getting married in two months and her bridesmaid lives about five houses from us on our little dirt road in the middle of nowhere, about two hours from that river!! We also found out we were less than a mile from our destination, but wouldn’t have made it because the sun was completely down just after we had crossed the field.

 And, there is, indeed, a Bald Eagle nest right where we found our majestic national bird guide!

Here are the lessons I learned on that adventure:

  • It is OK to tell your child when you are afraid, when you are going through difficult times together. In fact, teaching your child to be brave, and to keep moving forward, especially when you are afraid, will be a lesson in bravery they will never forget.
  • It is OK to ask for help. There humility in asking for help, when we need it, and it is a good, good thing. Is there an area of life you are too afraid to ask for help in, or have too much pride to ask for help? Having enough self-awareness to know when to ask for help is a quality in a person, not a weakness. 
  • Teach your child to have a healthy respect for God’s creations. Marvel at His wonders. Take time to wonder why He made each creature, and how He knows every drop in His rivers.
  • Never go just on the bait shop guy’s word.
  • And even when the bait shop guy steers you wrong, and you get lost on the river in the dark, trust that God knows your needs, and knows how to lead you to where you need to be. Teach your child that He is there, through the darkness, through deep waters and shallow. Teach your kids to trust His guidance! 

 

Stephanie Shott
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