Like A Lighthouse
| Our theme for camp was "Like a
Lighthouse" and we had many devotionals on light and ocean type things. One of my
assignments was "Choice and Accountability, Finding a Safe Harbor" This is the
story I told the girls, then gave them a little anchor charm for their camp necklaces to
help them remember to use their anchor of faith in safe harbors. Choice and Accountability - Finding a Safe Harbor This is the story of Joyce and the Accountability. Joyce was a YW sailing across the stormy seas of life in her ship - the S.S. Accountability. She was sailing toward a very distant land where her Father was waiting for her. He had said there would be wonderful gifts when she arrived home. Joyce had been given maps and log books to guide her in her journey. The maps showed her the course she needed to follow to return Home safely, and they showed her where to find safe harbors. The logbooks gave detailed accounts from the journeys of those who had sailed these waters before her. And, of course, she could radio home at any time to let her Father know how she was doing and to ask for any specific help she might need. You see, her Father loved her very much and knew her very well and he also knew the way perfectly so He would be able to help her. Deep in the ship she had stowed her anchor of Faith. She had chosen a great First Mate - He didn't have a very loud voice, but whenever she was uncertain about what direction to go, she could count on him to tell her, in his still small voice, how to stay on course. When she was lonely he had directed her to the harbor called Family. She always found a warm welcome there. They kept their lighthouse burning all the time to guide the way to a place where she could rest from the terrible storms that often blow on the seas of life. She took refuge there as often as she could.. Her first mate regularly encouraged her to stop at the harbor called Church Activity. Here Joyce found many other sailors who were trying to get to the same destination. They could talk and study maps together. They could encourage each other and help each other repair their ships when the fierce storms would damage the sails and they could refill their barrels with Living Water. She was always more ready to set sail again after she had used her anchor of faith in this harbor. It was here that she had learned about another harbor which, if she could reach it, would put her in a safer channel to where she was going. It was called Temple Harbor. By stopping at that harbor Joyce would be able to avoid some of the rocks and ice bergs that had kept so many other ships from finding their way home. Joyce thought it was curious that there was always a strong headwind as she sailed the way the maps told her to sail. She got so tired of that headwind. She decided that she could turn just a little out of the course, so the wind wasn't blowing directly in her face. She had seen many other ships veer aside. She had heard the people on them laughing and having a good time. Of course, she didn't know what had happened to them after that. They always seemed to fall a bit behind when they turned aside. But that wouldn't make much difference, and it would be EASIER, just for a while, then she could get back on course. Her first Mate tried to tell her not to, but since she had turned aside, the wind was blowing in her ears and she couldn't hear what he said. She turned the wheel just a bit, and then a bit more. Her sails drooped a little and the Accountability faltered in its course. The ship pitched wildly to the side and was carried high up on the crests of the waves and dashed back down where waves washed over the deck. It seemed very exciting at first. She thought the cold splashes were exhilarating and the waves were like a roller coaster. As time went on she got tired of this wet roller coaster. It was a little bumpy and the constant ups and downs were starting to make her seasick. She tried to ignore the creaks and snaps she heard, but soon she couldn't help noticing that the ship was riding lower in the water. Joyce's ship was full of holes and was in danger of sinking. She suddenly realized how cold she was, and the spray just kept soaking her. How she hated those violent waves that she had found so exciting not so long ago. Joyce had left her destination to the wind and now she had no idea where she was or how she could ever get back on course. She had forgotten all about her radio AND her anchor. Just as she was about to give up she saw a light ahead. Her trusty first mate whispered to her to steer toward it. Slowly she made her way to the light which she found to be the harbor called Repentance. Joyce's ship, the Accountability, was a sight! The sails were torn and there were holes where rocks had punctured the sides. Even the tall straight mast had broken off. As she neared the harbor a man in a tug boat came and tossed her a rope. His name was Captain Bishop. He didn't laugh at her or ask why she had gone off course, he just pulled her safely into the harbor and began to make a list of needed repairs. Joyce was distraught at the long list of repairs. How would she ever pay for them all. When she mentioned this to the man, he said that her Brother had already come to this port and had paid for all of them in advance. The only stipulation was that she would have to do a lot of the work herself to repair the ship AND she would need to do her best to steer a straight course in the future. Joyce set to work immediately. The first thing she did was to repair her radio so she could let her Father know how she was doing. She hadn't really meant to endanger her ship and she was anxious to make up for the time she had lost by veering off course. The work was very hard. She had to scoop out all that water with a bucket and her hands had blisters, but thanks to her brother she had all the materials she needed to make the Accountability ship-shape once more. And this was a friendly port - there were many people who helped her every day until her ship was ready to sail again. Her first Mate suggested that, in order to keep the Accountability in tip top condition, Joyce should stop into the harbor of Repentance regularly for maintenance and cleaning. That way it wouldn't get into such bad shape again. Joyce set sail with her cargo holds filled to the top with Gratitude and Determination. She still had storms to weather, and the fierce wind still blew, but she sailed right into it. Joyce knew that the Accountability could only take her Home if she sailed the course that led there. The moral of this story: Only wise Joyces can bring the Accountability to Safe Harbors. May your wise choices lead you to safe harbors, too. Graphics by: Country Heart Designs |