“But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭

This is another poem I wrote many years ago during “the perfect storm” God had allowed in my life:

The floods of many waters do take their toll,

When the mighty billows of trials overwhelm the soul.

“You are finished. All washed up,” the enemy does cry.

“There is nothing left. All is lost,” you sigh.

Then comes the Commander of wind and sea,

And says, “My child, look unto me.

You are all washed up, ‘tis true,

But understand what this means for you.

Once you were lost in sin’s miry clay,

You had no hope - could not find your way.

Then you sought my cleansing within,

And now you are all washed up from sin.”

Sailing along - clouds gathered, winds did blow,

Expectation’s vessel tore apart and sunk below.

Buoyed up by my sustaining grace,

You held tightly to a board of faith.

Days passed, you and your fragment drifted,

You were lonely, humbled, sifted.

Touched by your Shepherd’s rod,

At the mercy of no one, but God.

Not finished, I sent yet another storm,

“I can’t make it,” you cried, “too weary and worn.”

You knocked through the endless night on death’s dark door,

But by morning you were all washed up on a new shore.

Though ripped apart, withered and suffering great loss,

You did survive being tempted and tossed.

All washed up to start over anew,

Convinced that I, as your good Captain, will see you through.”

So dear friend, there is a purpose in all your pain,

Eternal perspectives there to gain.

When gasping for breath at the end of your rope,

Just remember, “As long as there is life, there is hope.”