For many years I sought peace over the question of what would happen when we left the RAF; where would we live and what would we do? It was a concern and at times a conflict and a battle within me that caused worry. Being so involved with the RAF stations and church life, we never seemed to have the time to be able to prepare and sort things out ahead of time; praying and seeking God’s peace in and through it all was the only course of action left. We are told to ‘seek peace and pursue it’ (Psa. 34:14).
God, in His mercy, gave me His peace when He showed me that my home is in Him and not bricks, and that He would provide for all our needs as we trusted in Him. God in His loving kindness and mercy was faithful; He provided peace in the uncertainty and finally a physical home when the time was right. This also has been the case when cruising on our narrow boat, ‘Grace’. During holiday seasons finding a mooring in the afternoons can be difficult, but we are always delighted and thankful at times to see how prayers are answered and a place provided. Often it has been near another boat, or someone who we have been able to help or share our faith with.
God is good and we continue to trust in Him for our home wherever we go. He does prepare the route ahead and encouraging encounters along the way. One place we stopped at was along a river in the middle of the fens; another boat pulled up later and moored nearby. In the morning God gave me an opportunity to talk with the family and it transpired the boat owner had lost both his parents during Covid and he, like so many, was going through bereavement. He had always wanted a boat, and his inheritance allowed that to happen; it was the first trip out on it, a bittersweet moment for him as he remembered his parents. I was able to share with him a Waterways Chaplaincy prayer for the boat and gave him a prayer magnet with it written on it, for which they were grateful.
*Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/@christopher-more-617959569