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.
14 Comments
Leave a commentI agree, we need to use our talents. I decided at the beginning of the lockdown to help other writers. I edited other author’s short stories and a full length novel, connected writers to useful resources as well as helped to market other writers’ books. I hope in some small way I helped. I know it made me feel useful and more connected to others in my writing community. You have such a great area to walk in and a great walking partner. xo
I love all of the things that you have been doing to help others. Good for you!
I think there’s always room for reconsideration of how we spend our time. So easy to get in a rut. I’ll be interested to know what you come up with!
I am still thinking!!! It is easy to get in a rut. I love your beautiful paintings and your willingness to share those!
I love this! On Sunday during church, our priest said that he would imagine God would ask us how we used our gifts here on earth. That was a sobering thought. I so appreciate your analogy here, and the idea that our gifts may not be what we think that are…and sometimes, I know that I am very unsure of what I feel are my gifts and may be even a little intimidated by them. I try to console myself by thinking that God wants me to be the way that I am and knows that I will use whatever talents that He has given me for the greater good. Fascinating and timely….especially right now when we’re in such strange times. Thank you for posting this.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. I think your priest had a good message. We all have to figure it out, don’t we?
I must admit I too have not used these unsettling things as well as I should. I think we force on what’s going on the world we forget what is most important Putting our minds on what our God wants us to do to make things better.
I think we all just are kind of in a daze with all of this. I think it is okay as long as we don’t get stuck there forever!
You know how much I love it when God gives us a message from a picture of an everyday thing. This is perfect! And I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thanks! I think we are so like minded on things like this and I love that.
I’m glad to read I’m not the only one who’s feeling a bit hermit-like. I just want to be home with the family and keep my circle very small. I feel like my perspective on things had definitely changed during this pandemic time. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. It just is.
I totally understand your feelings. I agree—it is not good or bad. It just is. I love that.
I love your discovery and the analogy.
Thanks, Audrey. I see things in every day items quite often. Thanks, God!