Shark Bait

One thing that I absolutely love about where I’m living is the ocean. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved going on vacations to Florida with my family to swim in the ocean, sit out in the sun in the sand, and watch the waves crash into the shore. So it was a dream come true when I found out our base was a short 5 minute walk from the beach. Almost everyday i’ve been able to go to the beach and sit, swim, and even surf. During the week we work hard to serve Jaco and get off every afternoon just in time to spend some time at the beach and watch the sunset. On the weekends we get all day off and get to choose how we want to spend our time. One thing i’ve really enjoyed learning how to do is surf. A girl on my team surfs back home and took the time to teach me how. I’ve fallen in love with the feeling of standing on a wave moving towards the shore. There was a moment of fear when I was first learning of what was the surface of the water. The water here is usually extremely clear and you can see right through it. But every once in awhile there’s a thought that a shark is waiting in the muddy water to make a meal out my legs. As irrational and unrealistic that fear was, I was about to let it keep me from learning how to do something I’ve always wanted to do. In that moment I had to choose to face the fear and just enjoy where I was. This is a lesson God has been trying to reach me my entire life and will undoubtedly have to remind me of several times in the future. On this trip I am faced with fears everyday, rational and irrational and have to choose to take them captive, bring them before the Lord who provides and protects, and take a step forward. Fear will paralyze me if I try to gave them on my own, but fade away if I allow myself to trust in God who is unable to fail me. The other day I had the opportunity to do a 12 line zip lining course over the jungle. I signed up, paid the money, and almost chickened out once I got to the first line. When I got strapped to the first line I had to trust my harness, the cables, and the professional who know how to do their job. After I chose to trust I got the courage to done one of the lines hanging upside down. God asks the same of me. To trust the guidelines He’s put in place to protect me, His word which I know to be true, and His character which is incapable of letting me down, so that I can flourish and enjoy the life He’s created for me. 

Fear is a tricky little disease only curable but the trust in God’s promises and character. 

I’m happy, healthy, and doing well:) 

Love you, Katherine