January 17, 2021: Lessons From a Kayak Fiasco

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1, KJV).

This morning I had a thought about “a life interrupted”—those times when life just doesn’t go as planned. For many years, I have clung to Psalm 23:1, for it reminds me that my wants are important to God.

One of my wants is for my family to take trips together regularly. Some time ago, we traveled to a local state park to kayak. The day was sunny, and the river flowed peacefully. We partnered up and started down the river. I was in the kayak with my youngest son, who was 11 at the time, and he made it known that I was not his first choice of partners. I sensed he lacked confidence in my boating ability. I took offense to this—I had been a Camp Fire girl, a Girl Scout and a Pathfinder, and had even spent two summers at camp.

The adventure started out smoothly, but soon our kayak kept drifting toward the riverbank. My son and I began to argue. We paddled furiously, but decided it was best we changed partners. During the transfer, our kayak overturned, and I watched my flip flops float down the river.

That morning, our plans hadn’t included the kayak fiasco. But we came together, turned the kayak back over and retrieved my flip flops. We ended up having a great time and can even laugh about it now.

As a single mother of two sons, I often feel pressured to have all the answers, but have learned to lean more on God and less on me.

Lord, I trust You, even if I don’t know what the day holds for me. Amen.

Kimberly Upchurch is a member of the Ephesus church in Ohio.