Sailing Through Marriage

Ok, ok….let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Just as a disclaimer right up front, I didn’t say it was always “smooth” sailing. This month celebrates my thirty-second year of marriage and I have been blessed beyond my wildest (and they can get pretty wild…) dreams. Parables found in the Bible used many references to sailing and/or the sea…and for good reason. Not only were they relevant to the merchant society back then, they were also word-pictures most everyone could understand. So for that reason I share my thoughts on marriage in nautical terms. Would it surprise you if I said my wife weighed me down? I’ll explain why that is a good thing. For those not familiar with the construction of boats, there is much more to it than just plopping a hollowed out hunk of wood onto the water and have it float. There are characteristics built into it that allow it to maneuver and get you where you want to go in the most practical manner. As part of a ship’s construction it has a component called a keel. It is a weighted fin at the bottom of most boats that serves numerous purposes. Firstly, it allows better steering in a straight line without struggling so much against the drifting caused by wind and currents. Secondly, it helps keep the ship upright as the wind and waves toss it side to side. Without this added weight, you would likely find yourself drifting into places you didn’t want to go. Thirdly, the keel provides the structural strength of the entire hull of the ship. Now, when I say my wife weighs me down…it’s a very good thing. She has been my keel for thirty-two years (more if you count the dating era). I am much more seaworthy in this life because of her and I trust it has been a reciprocal relationship. The simple truth is, I have been blessed far beyond my dreams when I see the wife and family I now have. My journey thus far through the seas of life have been sailed with changing winds, waves large and small, but always...always with a certainty that I am not alone. I am truly blessed. Greg Morton © August 1, 2013

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