The water in my little lake has covered the pier a few times in the 28 years I’ve lived here, but seldom for as long as this winter. A week or so ago, I took the dogs outside early one morning and saw the canoe, usually on the shore next to the pier, floating on the far side of the lake, set free by the high water.

I intended to rescue the canoe after work but returned home later than I expected. Then, the cornea problem flared again and directed all my attention to my eye, not to the wandering boat. When the rain resumed, I feared the amount of water dumped in a few hours would be sufficient to sink it before I could get to it.

When the rain finally stopped, the canoe was nowhere to be seen.

I know my vision wasn’t the best about that time, but I couldn’t see it. I suppose the canoe was so full of water that it was nearly below the surface, but not quite. Regardless, I couldn’t find it. This may not be the most beautiful prayer I’ve ever prayed, but it’s what I asked.”Lord, I sure don’t want to lose my canoe, but I’m doing all I can right now to deal with my eye. Please let it land on a high spot so I can find it when the water recedes.”

An image of Noah’s ark floated through my head.

By Sunday afternoon, my photophobia (pain in my eye from the sunlight) improved enough to take a long walk outside. Something silver sparkled in the light at the head of the lake. My canoe. I donned rubber boots, grabbed an oar, and snagged a feed sack from the barn for a dry seat, then hiked toward the sparkling silver.

The canoe, full of water, rested on the ground a few feet from the edge of the lake.

It had, indeed, landed on a high spot as the water receded. I couldn’t flip the canoe to empty the water because of the weight, and considered going back to the barn for a bucket, but decided to use the feed sack as a scoop, instead. It wasn’t a great solution because water seeped from the seams with every pass. Still, I managed to bail out most of the dirty lake water.

I was nearly as wet as the canoe by the time I finally emptied it, slid it into the lake, and hopped inside. Noah’s ark came to mind again. “So this is what it was like,” I thought. The ark rested on a high spot when the water began to recede. By the time the land around it was dry, the ark was in a safe place.

As I paddled, the ark took on new meaning.

God answered my prayer and protected my canoe. I have no doubt of His intervention because the little boat landed in a place covered by water just a few days earlier. I was reminded, once again, of God’s great love for His children and His intimate involvement in the affairs of our lives.

He knows us and cares about the things that concern us.

He loves us. Today, take comfort in that great truth. He loves me. Put your name in that sentence and repeat it as often as needed. Rest in our Father’s love and enjoy the relationship with One who not only loves us but has a lovely plan for our lives. (Jer 29:11) He is working to fulfill all He desires for us. 

“…Casting all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

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When Blessings Are Ours but We Refuse to Accept Them

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Finding Good in the Midst of the Hard

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