Navigating Rough Waters - Life Lessons From A Harrowing Experience

A group of family and friends recently went whitewater rafting.  They took a three-hour guided tour down a fairly agressive east Tennessee river.  During the trip they encountered a number of category III and IV rapids.  On the international scale of river difficulty -- yes, that's a real thing -- there are six categories.  Category IV rapids are advanced.  They are described as "powerful, but predictable; requiring precise handling."  It was a crisp, fall-like afternoon and everyone was having a blast.  It's amazing how quickly things can change. 


During one of those advanced rapids in the early part of the trip, one lady's husband was tossed out of the boat, sank underwater, and in a millisecond, was in greater danger than any realized, at the time.   Because of the speed and forcefulness of the rapids, the husband was completely submerged in an instant, even with his life jacket on.  His wife noticed the bright orange vest beneath the water's surface.  She reached for it, pulling his head above the water.  She knew she needed to wait until they reach a more calm patch of water before she could help him back onboard.  Their guide continued to navigate the rough water and tried to avoid large rocks while the man's wife held on to her husband and watched him bobbing up and down in the river.  A couple of times he was completely underwater again but she held on to him, telling him he would be okay and reminding him to keep his feet and head up.  She knew that it would be disasterous if he got caught between rock or pinned under the raft.

She was careful to shield his head from rocks with her paddle and with her hands, knowing that he could be knocked unconscious if he hit one of them.  She also knew that if she let him go, he would float quickly away from them and he might get trapped between rocks or entangled in thick tree roots.  If that happened he would surely drown.   A few times he screamed out in pain as his limbs slammed into jagged rocks, and his wife hoped he hadn't broken any bones.  The ordeal seems to go on for an hour, although it was probably less than five minutes.  After they reached calmer waters, she was able to pull her husband, who literally weighs twice as much as she does, back into the vessel.  It was a close call;  he never realized how endangered he was, but she did, especially after talking it over with the tour guide afterwards. The man had a few bloody scraps and scratches, and bruises on his arms legs and back.  Although they enjoyed the rest of the rafting excursion, the wife had nightwares about how close she came to loosing her husband or aleast having him badly injured.  This true story, which I witness with my own eyes, got me thinking about a few things that can perpel us past our circustances or keep us stuck in them. 

CHOICES

In your life there is probably someone you need to help back inside the boat; someone who's off course, doing something dangerous, or just needs a lifeline to get through their current situation.   There will be times when you need to help somone out of a tough spot.  At times it will be instinctive; you will spring into action without giving it a thought.  Other times you will have to contemplate and consciously decide to help. 

RISK

When you decide to take a chance in building a relationship, personal and professional, there are three things you must consider:  Is the risk worth it?   That means asking yourself, what could you gain if this goes well and what could you loose if it doesn't.  Is the relationship worth it?  Is your present and future dealings with this individual important enough to you to make the effort.  What's in it for you?  Maybe it will be a sense of self worth, improved confidence, a better relationship, or peace of mind.  Even when you take a risk for someone else's good, you reap benefits too. 

STRENGTH

How can a wife be stronger than a raging river?  How can a average-sized woman single-handedly lift a large man into a boat?  In the right circumstances, we are stronger than we ever thought.  We can do things we never imagined.  In short, anything is possible.  Will and perserverance probably contributed to your success -- maybe it was your own, maybe it was someone elses. 

GRATITUDE

Although the rafting wife worked hard to keep her husband safe, she recognized and  appreciate help. The tour guide helped her by steering the boat away from danger.  As a Christian woman, she believes that her Creator provided her with the strength she needed to endure, as well.  She was also grateful to the other rafters, who couldn't physically help but encouraged her during and comforted her afterwards.  An attitude of gratitude helps one stay humble. 

The next time you reach rough waters what will you do?  I recommend you make sage

choices, calculate the risks, embrace your inner strength, and stay grateful.