I don't remember where or when I came upon the article above. I just remember that it was hanging on a wall somewhere where it had been long forgotten. It was dusty and wrinkled. I really wish I could remember. It may have added some interesting sideline to my story. But, I can't remember. I do remember, however, that the words sank deep into my heart. I can remember as a young man in the mission field in some remote part of Japan, thinking to myself the equivalent of "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors".
I can remember on my mission, during trying times, being tempted during my personal prayers to ask Heavenly Father to, "get me through this". Then I would have a shot of resolve go through me and I would say, " Heavenly Father, teach me through this experience to learn what thou would have me learn". In other words, "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors".
Below, is an experience that I had while captaining a whale watching excursion in Alaska. Recently, my mind drifted off to that moment in time when I came in contact with the young fellow in the following writing. I remembered that I had written the experience up and after a day of trying to remember where I had put it, I finally found it. The neat thing about this story is that it didn't only affect me, it also affected Trevor and Brooke. Later in the day, this young man came into their lives also. What a profound experience, it was!
At one point along the trip, we crossed the wake of another vessel and without thinking I said to him, "hold on". I embarrassed myself by saying such a stupid thing to him and that is what made me uneasy about talking with him. Would I keep putting my foot in my mouth?
As we hit the wake he simply wedged his shoulders and knees against the door jam and rode out the bumps.
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors!
