I took this picture on our morning walk the other day. One of the good things that has come out of this pandemic is that Chris is home more and that we have started a more regular habit of walking. Sometimes we walk trails, sometimes we walk around our little part of the lake and sometimes, like this day, we walk to our little park and back.

I like to walk first thing in the morning but that does not always work with the hubby’s work schedule. But when it does I am very happy to enjoy the coolness of the morning and the quietness of the lake.

I noticed this life preserver hanging where it always hangs on the little walkway around the beach area at Lake Atagahi. It just struck me this time for some reason. When I looked at the picture on my computer I noticed very faint lettering at the bottom that looks like it says Bay Church. I don’t know where that is or why the life preserver is now at Lake Atagahi but it gave me some comfort to see it hanging there.

Life preservers do just what they say they do –they preserve life. If someone falls in the water and is in distress this little ring can help keep them floating and hopefully out of danger. But for a life preserver to do its job it has to be used. Somehow that life preserver has to reach the person in distress. Otherwise it is no good.

I think this is a good analogy for many things. What struck me most was that this item is of no use if it is not used. Kind of like our own God given gifts and talents. If we don’t use them they are worthless. The things that we can do that are wonderful things that could help others are no good if we choose to keep them to ourselves. I have realized lately that sometimes I drag my feet, maybe more times than I care to admit, when someone asks me to do something that stretches me to use a gift that they see in me. I have become a bit of a hermit recently and am loving just being home with Chris and the cats. But my gifts and talents are meant to be used and I need to be that life preserver — useful when needed.

It’s just such a weird time right now and it is easy to isolate and not be productive. This life preserver reminded me that maybe my purpose during all of this is different than “I” think it is. Pop over and leave me a comment and Comment for a Cause – Fill the Bus with Clothing for Back to School.