A year and a half ago I went on vacation in the White Mountains with my dear friend Lynn. I love the northwoods of NH and hadn't really spent any good length of time there in years. Getting my friend to go with me was the first step. Since my job at the time was an office job I wanted to be out and about, hiking and seeing as much as I could. She on the other hand cleans homes and businesses for a living and I think I tuckered her out real good.
The part we both will remember for years to come is how I got her to agree to a canoe trip on the Saco River. Both a little scared we set out. They piled us in a van, took us up the river 5 miles, and dropped everything onto a beach and left us. We looked at each other waiting for instructions but none came. So right from the beginning we couldn't agree on how to start. But finally we stepped on and pushed out. The current immediately took us and then before we knew it we were going backwards! Oh how we laughed and were embarrassed as we were shouting instructions to each other. (There were other groups there) We finally after much struggle were able to aright ourselves and got a rythm going. I would paddle in front as she acted as rudder in the rear. Now as only those who know it would realize, the Saco River is not a straight shot. In fact it is like ribbon candy. It could not be any more winding and needless to say our arms got a real workout. And keeping us from hitting leaning brush and trees was a real trial. It even rained at one point. It took us hours, so we stopped on a beach and ate lunch. We set out again and this time a stronger current began to pull us faster. My heart pounding, I tried to remain calm, wanting to show my friend we were ok and not to worry. Then the water got deeper and with the river bending again sharp we found ourselves lodged on a log unable to get ourselves freed. I tried to push and push, paddle and paddle but we couldn't budge. Getting a little scared and hoping we would not be stuck there till someone found us, I prayed, "Lord please help!" All of a sudden a rather large dragonfly flew between us into Lynn's face and she began thrashing about wildly shouting and standing, almost tipping the canoe. I shouted back that she would make us fall in. She was not happy needless to say but it was the very thing that got us unstuck and we glided on past all the debris. She announced at the same time that she was not having fun. I laughed nervously hoping that our friendship would endure. We did get into a flow together and were finally progressing knowing what to do when each obstacle came. We finally after what seemed like an eternity saw the dock and paddled in to an awaiting worker who helped us get out.
We got into the car and drove away. We still do not agree on the size of that dragonfly, I saying it might have been 6 inches and she saying it was 3 feet at least! Haha, we chuckle at the whole affair now and yes our friendship endured. She even thanked me for making her do it! I later found her a note pad at Zeb's Country Store with the words "Canoe Do This".(chuckle) I look back on this with a smile from time to time and recently the Lord showed me how this is so much like relationships. With twists and turns, currents pulling us in every direction, hindrances trying to keep us from going forward and fatigue from all the work at keeping it together. But if we will let the Lord take us on the trip we will understand later and love each other all the more for enduring the long winding river we call life. Lynn is a special friend, I cherish her willingness for venturing out of her comfort zone with me that day. We need to find those kinds of friends and when we do, be willing to go through whatever life throws at us and love each other no matter what. For when it is time to make our final docking we will get to thank each other forever.....
