Life Lessons from the Platt River

Questions I've been asked, and answers I've given, while kayaking on the Platt River:

Q:  "What do you do when the current is against you?"
A:  "Keep paddling."

Q:  "What do we do at the fish hatchery gate?"
A:  "Keep paddling."

Q:  "How do you turn left?"
A:  "Paddle on the right."

Q:  "Are we there yet?"
A:  "Keep paddling."

I think we're heading into some turbulent economic waters. The market has been dropping and my Platt River Kayak experiences taught me this axiom: "The lower the water, the more you scrape the bottom."

But you don't have to stop just because you're scraping along. In fact, that may be the very time you should paddle harder.

If your trip is worth taking (and I'm assuming you think it is, since you are on the water with me) my advice is: keep paddling. When the waters are rough, keep paddling. When the ride is bumpy, keep paddling. We're not there yet.

Don't bail out.
Don't give up.
Don't quit.
Persevere in hardship.

Sheila and I are on the same water...and we're paddling with you.

Romans 12:8-13  -  When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them. Let love be without any pretense. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; share with any of God's holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.

Comments

[Ron S.]

Thanks Mark. Your post brought to mind a verse that has sustained me during the toughest parts of my life (so far) and seems appropriate for conditions ahead.

Romans 5:3-5) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

God IS faithful. As you say, we need to just keep paddling.

[Corey Mann]

I read this and got motivated. I rode 20+ miles this weekend on my bike. I kept saying to myself, "Keep Peddlin!"
Then I read this again. "Keep Paddling!"
Oops.