Hello Steemians!
Life is full of challenges and trials. If we don't persevere, we cannot attain anything in this life and even unto the next life. This are the spices of life. Just like food, we need spices to add or enhance the flavor to suit our taste buds. Same in life, without it, life would be boring.
October 1996
I joined the M.V. AFRICAN DAHLIA late February 1996 after a 4 months rest and recreation. My lovely wife just delivered our first baby. It was a boy. I was reluctant to accept the assignment but the Manager in charge of manning appealed to me. A crew replacement is badly needed and I was the one ready and all set to go.I had no choice but to accept the assignment.
After 21 days at sea, everybody including the Captain was excited to see land again. There's not much to see at Matadi. It was my second time visiting the place but never had chance to go ashore.
As we approached the Matadi Bridge, the Pilot advised the Captain that we may experience strong head on current up to 12 knots (15 miles/hr. approx.). Wow! that's insane, I thought. Our vessel is only capable of 13 knots at full speed. That means we will be steaming about 1 knot/hr speed to reach half a mile distance to the pier. That's 2 hours of full steaming to cover half a mile of distance. That's really insane!
When we crossed the Bridge, the speed suddenly dropped from 12.8 knots to 0.7 knots, and sometimes 0.6 knots. It was the strongest head on current that I have experienced in all my seafaring career. It was a struggle, for the vessel , her engines were vibrating with all she got. But slowly and surely the vessel moved forward , inching along the last half a mile without stopping against the current until we reached safely to the docks.
Mission Accomplished!
In life, be prepared with surprises. Challenges, trials and setbacks may come . It may be like a strong head on current like the one in the Congo River but we all have a safe and secure boat that can withstand the strongest current or even the fiercest storm. You know why? It's because it is commanded by the Greatest Captain of all times and it's no other than our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Face all adversities head on and you are assured of victory! That's "Perseverance."
You just got to give the helm to Him, and let Him do the rest. And when you do, expect the calmness after the Storm.
Turning your back against those adversities is a total defeat. That's "Weakness."
Let me leave you with a quote:
May Christ Always Be the One Who Stands
At The Helm Of Your Ship.
Kathleen M. Pritchard
May God Bless Us All.
