Every July, there is a yacht race from Port Huron, Michigan up the length of Lake Huron to an island paradise called “Mackinac Island.”
Although, I had competed 100 times in small racing yachts on an inland lake, I was always afraid of the BIG ONE (Port Huron To Mackinac.)
The BIG ONE is 250 miles long and takes 3 days and 2 nights to finish.
At the age of 64, I finally got up the courage to give it a go.
We took off on a 35′ racing yacht with a crew of 6.
The first day was great with a decent wind pushing us up the lake.
When we greeted the second day, the sky behind us turned fiery red.
There is an old saying,:
“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning!”
As beautiful as it was, it was an ominous sight to the experienced crew members aboard.
The storm came up from behind us bringing huge waves and deep troughs.
It tossed the boat around like it was a toy.
Some of the vital parts of the boat began to break under the strain.
Our captain, who was trying to keep the boat upright, became seasick and had to be tied to the stern rail to prevent him from falling overboard in his weakened condition.
The storm raged on for 8 hours.
During that entire time, I just put myself in God’s hands.
That’s the lesson I learned that day.
When in trouble, put yourself in God’s hands!
If not today, when?
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