A FERRY TALE
Ferries have been a big part of my life for close to ten years now. For six years I lived on Prince Edward Island and for the last four years I've lived a hop, skip, and a jump (if I hopped, skipped and jumped, that is!) from the Letete ferry landing. From my home I can watch the ferry that connects Deer Island to the mainland come and go every half-hour or so. Seems I never get tired of watching that ferry. It's just part of what makes the rhythm of my life in Letete special. Every time I hear the ferry horn signal that it's time for the cars to begin loading, I know that I'm not living in the midst of some urban sprawl. I like that feeling.
At least that's my perspective as an onlooker from my kitchen table in Letete. But the way I feel about the ferry changes when I'm in need of it's services. Sometimes I love the ferry. A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way back from a meeting on Deer Island and I had the pleasure of watching a couple of Harbor Porpoises jump and play in the waters just off the side of the ferry. They matched speed with us for a bit and then took their leave. What a beautiful sight! Nothing clears the mind better than getting on a ferry and breathing in that fresh sea air. You have no other option than to stop what you're doing and realize you're moving through some of the most impressive waters in God's creation.
But, there are times when the ferry is nothing more than a floating frustration factory! When you race to get it and just miss. When you're one car short of getting on a full ferry. When you're having a good time with someone, but have to stop to make the last ferry. When one is broken and the schedule goes crazy. When you're late already, waiting for the ferry to land, to load, to go. Arrrrrgggggggghhhhh! The worst was waiting to get home to PEI in the off-season. The ferries in the fall and winter only ran every ninety minutes. So, if you just missed it, you had a long wait to get on the next one. There's been many a speeding ticket, many a bursting bladder between Moncton and the ferry as people have risked life and limb to "make the ferry".
Now the Confederation Bridge crosses the Northumberland Straits to Prince Edward Island and the ferries are a thing of the past. No more waits, no more misses, no more "last" ferries. Having just been on PEI a few weeks ago, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the benefits of a bridge. What used to take forty-five minutes by boat, now takes ten minutes by car. Best of all, it doesn't matter what time you hit the bridge, it will be waiting there for you! But, at the same time, I DO miss the ferry ride. It was a time to take a break on the journey. A time to have a bit of fun with family and friends. I always enjoyed seeing who else was on the boat. Some of the best conversations I've ever had took place on the decks of those PEI ferries. Now all those opportunities of impromptu meetings and unplanned family silliness have gone the way of the Dodo, at least during our journeys to PEI.
OK so what do we learn
about the ferry?
Sometimes we need to stop and take a break on life's journey. Progress may mean that I can now get to Prince Edward Island a lot faster then I used to, but the trip isn't as interesting, or fun. Sound familiar? We may be more efficient, more plugged in, but we're also more stressed, more isolated, more cut off. Used to be my breaks were built in, but now unless I plan for them, they're no longer there. I imagine it's the same for you as well.
Life is full of unplanned, uncontrollable events. The question is, what do you do with them when they happen? Some people handle a ferry delay by sitting in their cars stewin', brewin', and chewin'. Others catch up on their reading, or get out and walk around and start talking to their fellow travelers. Some go with the flow and turn frustration into fruit. Others take a small setback and envision that it's an evil conspiracy, designed specifically to ruin their day. I think you can figure out which attitude is healthier.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for giving us moments of rest in our journeys. Help us understand that we need to stop and rest and relate or much of life's seasoning and sweetness and wisdom is missed. Lord, help us also to deal with the unexpected setbacks of life that don't fit in with our plans! Give us the wisdom and the attitude that will turn life's interruption's into life's treasures. Amen!
