Dear Friends in Christ,

     Well, as many of you know, my summer has included a boat-building project with our ten-year-old grandson Cody, who lives in Asheville. We started the week after Easter during spring break and completed the shaping of the hull before he had to go back home. Little did I know that this young lad had some serious misgivings about our enterprise. Only later did I learn that he had asked his grandmother, "Do you think grandpa really knows what he's doing?" To which Linda replied, "I don't know, Cody. Just be sure you wear your life jacket!" When Linda told me about that conversation, I replied, "O ye of little faith ..."

     I spent some late evenings and hot afternoons out in the shed out back working on it so when Cody returned for summer vacation we could finish it and get it in the water. I checked after spending a couple of hours working out there one Saturday and it was 108 degrees in the workshop! We have a baked finish on the boat for sure.

     Last week, we had the boat ready to "float test" over at Jack and Rosie Sailstad's. Their neighbor Gary had a boat ramp, so we backed the truck down to the ramp and off-loaded the boat. And yes, Jack loaned us two life jackets to be on the safe (and legal) side. We didn't have a motor set up yet, so Jack loaned me a collapsible canoe paddle from his boat to use (I have since wondered how on earth Jack ever expected to paddle his big boat with that little thing. He'll have to call for help for sure!) Cody and I paddled our little 9'9" rowboat around in circles, watching to see if the boat had any leaks, and being careful not to let the wind overpower our little paddle. After all, a grandpa's boat-building reputation was at stake.

     Cody's coming back for a final outing in the boat, now that school has just started in Asheville. He wants to go fishing in it, so we needed some power. These last few nights I've been back out in that workshop making two oars for the boat (we're going to be its power). We'll row over to our fishing spot, and have a great early morning together. The oars are much bigger than Jack's paddle, and will no doubt get us where we're going.

     Now, you're probably asking by now, what's the point in all of this? Point is, the boat's not going anywhere without some significant source of power to move it along. The oars, and a grandfather/grandson team with strong arms will do the trick. Life's like that too. We need something, or someone to give us the power we need to move through life, and the Biblical promise is that God's Holy Spirit is precisely that powerful presence within us. Open your heart daily to His presence, and you'll find His grace and strength are sufficient for all your needs.

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church,

Bob

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