Finding Hope and Meaning Through Life's Trials

I recently read an article about an incident on a ship in a Dalmatian town during a storm. The ship's captain was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a small vessel and had to maneuver the ship, resulting in damage and a hole in the hull. Upon reaching the harbor, mechanics applied a visible patch to the hole, allowing the ship to be ready for departure the next day. However, this caused some issues with new passengers who were skeptical of the visible repair. 

Two days following the incident, I boarded a similar boat heading to one of the Croatian islands amidst strong winds. As we neared the island, a worker, visibly fearful, informed the passengers that we would not arrive at our intended harbor but at a different port, likely because of the strong wind. 

Uncertain about how to reach the location of my room reservation, I asked a fellow passenger if he knew whether a bus went there. He replied that he wasn't sure, but mentioned that his daughter would be picking him up and I could join them. In short, eventually I ended up with a very kind elderly gentleman who offered me a ride, and we had a pleasant conversation as he drove me to my accommodation. 

I inquired about the recent boat accident, and he expressed his concern about the current quality of boats. He also mentioned that today's ship captains are not "locals who know the waters and storms by heart," and that they tend to get frightened easily, leading to unnecessary mistakes like the one that took place the other day. 

I'm uncertain whether this man's opinion was grounded in truth, but it prompted me to reflect on recent global storms, the challenges in my friends' lives, and my own personal struggles. It made me question whether we possess the same resilience as our ancestors. I also considered whether we are familiar enough with the emotional and life storms to steer through them without causing harm. 

I'm not sure about you, but when I reflect on my life, it frequently seems like moving from one turbulent season to the next, with occasional side trips to planned destinations or being compelled to take a break and shelter from various storms. 

I understand that some of you who follow the Creative Helping Hands blog are still facing life's challenges, whether it's war, earthquakes, financial difficulties, family illness, or other personal crises. If you've recently endured a crisis that has left a mark on your heart, here's a message for you in a form of a poem:

Broken in the storm

I saw your damaged vessel.

I could feel your pain. 

I understood how you felt.

And I knew when you were ashamed. 

At times, you felt abandoned,

And sometimes it seemed as if you were all alone.

You neither saw nor heard me,

But you were not on your own. 

I was right by your side

When heaviness was pressing on your chest.

I was holding you in my arms

When you thought you couldn’t breathe without pain. 

With the storm now behind us,

Everything you see are broken fragments of your heart.

I know where to lead you next.

New life is in the cross season of your heart.

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Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29