A miraculous answer to prayer happened to me in the laundry room Monday of last week.  I was waiting my turn to move our clean washed clothes to the dryer, when a kind older lady, whom I’ve shared the laundry room and many conversations about the Lord throughout this last year, turned to me and bluntly stated, “My husband and I are about to walk away from our boat.”

“Wait…what?  What did you say?”

“My husband and I are about to walk away from our boat.  We’ve had it since 1989 and just can’t take care of it anymore.  It’s a 27′ sailboat.”

My heart skipped a beat.  My breath caught in my chest.  Did God really allow this to happen to ME, in the laundry room, my homemaking, domestic domain?

Since the beginning of the year, Ryan and I have been praying for a sailboat, specifically in the 25 – 28 foot range. We felt comfortable that size would safely fit our family of six while learning to sail. Living on the water in our Cruise-A-Home, we feel, has been Phase 1 in this grand adventure.  (Please enjoy reading past chapters on my blog for more details.) Logically Phase 2 toward the ultimate goal of circumnavigation on a sailing catamaran, is learning the fundamentals of how to sail.

I asked Barbara and her husband, Bob, if I could see their boat.  Yes, I was greatly interested!!  They may have just become an answer to our prayers!  Kindly, they allowed me to quickly transition our clothes into the dryer.  Caleb, who was with me, and I were off to see a providential sailboat.

She’s been well taken care of, just needs a bath and a little TLC on the inside. A 1967 27′ Santana racing sailboat with a working 9.9 Yamaha outboard.  The cockpit and saloon area are big enough to comfortably and safely fit our family.  A V-berth forward, a small head, basic galley, L-shaped dinnette and two additional quarter berths port and starboard aft.  The couple was in good standing with the port and current with their moorage.  If we wanted the boat, they would give her to us. We simply would take over her current moorage.  Ryan enthusiastically began researching this boat and asked our marine friends to come take a look.  We excitedly found four sails in decent condition.  Our friends were thrilled with this opportunity for us.  They agreed, there couldn’t have been a better boat for our family to learn the art of sailing!  Sans Souci, the boat’s name, is French for “no worries” or “without care or burden.”  The perfect complement to Royal Way, the name of our Cruise-a-home.

Fast forward a week and a half to Wednesday, March 14th.  Bob and Ryan visited the licensing department to transfer the title into our name.  God gave our family a sailboat!  As Ryan reminds me, God gave this sailboat to me in the laundry room.  Oh how I needed to be encouraged that this adventure is worth every painful struggle.  A confirmation we are right where we are supposed to be.  God just provided Phase 2!

I’ll be completely honest.  I’m a bundle of overwhelmed emotions.  Might circumnavigation be a God-ordained adventure that will actually happen with our family?!?!?!

Though I continue to honestly declare “yes, use me Lord, I trust you.” I recognize I still struggle with the transition from a “predictable, American” lifestyle to God’s unknown one, unfolding one day at a time.   The foundational concept I’m wrestling with is the stability of where I place my faith.  I acknowledge that money, a salary, a job, a home, our health, even relationships ultimately are not stable nor provide peaceful security or happiness.  They all have come and gone in the last 14 years Ryan and I have been married.  We, thankfully, are more in love with each other now than ever before. 🙂

Together, a family united, we place our faith and trust in our unchangeable God, who miraculously provided a sailboat.  Since He is huge enough to author and orchestrate this adventure, I must place my faith in Him to provide and see us through to the adventure’s end.  With exceeding gladness and joy, we embrace Phase 2 as we learn the art of sailing on our sailboat, provided for in the laundry room.

“You call me out upon the water, the great unknown where feet may fail.  And there I find You in the mystery, in oceans deep, my faith will stand.

I will call upon Your Name, and keep my eyes above the waves.  When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace, for I am Yours and You are mine.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters.  Your sovereign hand will be my guide.  Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me, You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now!

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.  Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour.

I will call upon Your Name.  Keep my eyes above the waves.  My soul will rest in Your embrace, I am Yours and You are mine.”

~Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), by Hillsong United   Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm  Copyright: Capitol Christian Music Group

Blessings,

Jacy