Dolphins

Dolphins

Photography by Meridith Glass

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. –Ephesians 2:8-9

Last Sunday afternoon we took a boat ride. It was a nice retreat to leave the cares of the world behind and focus on the clouds, blue sky and sparkling water.  We saw the pelicans perched on islands nearby and the occasional seagull that circled over top of us to see if we are offering food. But the joy of the day was when three dolphins played in the boat’s wake. We were so delighted and amazed at the same time. I have never witnessed this before. The playfulness in and out of the waves is called porpoising. Their shiny gray bodies were so limber. Some leaped high and others surfaced for air just for a split second to return underwater.  Graceful and elegant. These creatures are beautiful and I love their gentleness and spunk.

Our dedication to faith can often resemble porpoising. Going in and out of faith like the dolphins play in and out of the waves. When things are good, we sail high, above the clouds and may forget that it is God’s strength that keeps us afloat. When things go bad, we can’t get on our knees fast enough to pray for help and an immediate solution.  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. -James 1:2-4 What I was reminded about on that boat ride was that there are times to be serious and times to play….but it is always time to be in faith.