Thursday 3 July 2008

When Time Stands Still

The picture above was taken last week when mama and papa went to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The river and falls is on the Taqumenon River. What I think is neat about this picture is that it appears that time has stopped - the water is not moving. How many times in life have we wished time had stood still or even reversed just so we can correct a moment in time. The trouble is, we can't do that. So making good choices at the moment as we go through life are critical.
Not sure how many can remember November 1975. I remember the morning that the news on the radio and TV announced that the ore freighter the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior. It was a fairly new freighter, one of the largest, 800' in length but got caught in a severe storm - wind gusts of close to 100 mph and waves estimated at 70' ! All 29 lives were lost - only a few miles from "Safe Harbor" bay. Papa took the picture of the "Fitz's" bell at the Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Pt. on Lake Superior. A few years ago a recovery team went to the bottom of the lake and removed the bell from the ship. A new bell was placed on her deck, as a memorial, with the names of the 29 men who lost their lives that frightful day. Gordon Lightfoot, folk singer, recorded the song, "The Edmund Fitzgerald" which became quite popular. I am quite confident that the captain of that ship that frightful day wished he had made some different decisions that could have prevented the loss of those 29 lives. He had no idea when he set out to sail that life would change that day. He could not stop the storm, could not see the future, but could have made better preparation. One of the major problems that occured was that he lost his radar, it was snapped off by the winds of the storm. He was relying on the voice communications from another ship a few miles behind that was also in trouble.

When you find yourself on the stormy seas of life, faced with those life changing choices, time will not stand still. Make sure you are listening to God - he is your radar and direction finder for your life - he will never leave you groping for direction - He will lead you to "Safe Harbor".

35 comments:

Robin said...

Very good advice!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi robin - hope you are doing well! Is time standing still for you??!! (smile)

Keetha Broyles said...

Being from the northwoods of WI myself, what I like about that first picture is the signature brown yet transparent water in that waterfall - - - caused by the tannin in the water. Kinda like a river of iced tea.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi Keetha - I think tannin in the water makes the water look cool - we lived just north of the Dells for 5 years - we loved Wisconsin!

Heather said...

You are soooo right! It is soooo important to make sure you are listening to God's voice. There are other voices (Satan) who will try to be louder, but it is only God's voice that will lead you to the 'Safe Harbor'! Thanks for that reminder!!!

Love and HUGS to you and Mama!!!
Happy 4th of July!

Jake and Jess said...

that is a great picture of you two! makes me smile.

Jake and Jess said...

p.s. the UP is one of my favorite places. gald you enjoyed your time. camping perhaps?

Indian Lake Papa said...

Heather - I think of those crisis moments that I have went through and wished I could have changed those moments in time - especially for my children. Yet, today when I looked how God has led me to "Safe Harbor" I am amazed at his faithfulness.

Jake & Jess! Thanks for your comments! God paints a beautiful creation - I love the U.P.! We stayed at a cottage for a week at Curtis, Michigan.

hoozat lady said...

Beautiful picture!
I love the UP- and Tahquamenon Falls.
See you tomorrow!
:)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hoozat !! Oh my! Oh my! mama and I have been praying you would make it! Is there anything you need??? Besides money!! ;o) lol !!!

Anonymous said...

Papa, time does not slow down and we can never turn back the clock. I like the idea of time always moving forward. This means there will always be new challenges to test us, even if we really don't want them. :)

I am glad you and Mama enjoyed your vacation. That is a beatiful looking view of the waterfall.

hoozat lady said...

:)
I don't need any money.
Maybe just a little patience-I'll be driving in with your boy!
I have tent, sleeping bag, camp chair... Is there anything I can bring for you?

Indian Lake Papa said...

hoozat - Anything I need? I'll take the money! Mama, her sister, mama's mom were all reading your comment when your new comment came in! We are hyped! We have a wonderful family - relax - you will have fun! Papa will give you a tour - if you want to bring some chips and/or a couple liters of pop. Can we make my son sleep in the tent and bring you in the house?? (smile) We will have all five bedrooms filled - lol ! We do have the couch open! lol

Indian Lake Papa said...

Ed - you are right - we cannot make time stand still - I have been challenged many times as time marches on! It has speeded up somewheres along the way! lol I don't like that!

hoozat lady said...

Don't worry about me- I like the tent.
Of course, if it starts storming, you might wake up to find me in the middle!
:D

Anonymous said...

I used to think I'd like to redo most of my life but I've come to realize that all the trials I've endured have brought me to where I am now. And I like this place.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hoozat - If you get in the "middle" You will have two queens and two double beds to choose from !! lol We are very excited about you coming!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Praise 365: We can't change the past can we !!!

rk said...

Oh, you are sooo cute! Found you via In Progress. Happened to speak with a missionary today. You might like the story:

http://sharingnotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/its-quiet-details-in-childhood-that.html

Blessings,
Roxanne Kristina
www.sharingnotes.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I have lots of pics from this vacation and love looking at them as if life is standing still..mmmmm but its still moving..hoping that we are learning all that we should, counting on God's grace that is sufficient for me.

Love you Papa, and Mama!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi Roxanne - Cute ?? I will have to put that in my profile - I never thought of "cute" as one of my attributes! lol - Mama definitely!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - i hope you are having a great time - make the best of this trip Darla - you have a new soul mate in Tam - Love you !!

Beka and Bill said...

Hello! Just had a moment to stop by! Looks like you had a nice getaway last week! My parents say hello to you both!! Time does not seem to be standing still here!!! It just keeps on going like the energizer bunny... or maybe that's Anika that just keeps going and going!!!!

Indian Lake Papa said...

B&B - thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great 4th! Time is flying by here too! Tell mommie & daddie hi!

Anonymous said...

even though I don't particularly remember november 1975....since the earth didn't greet me until 1980...I still needed this.
thanks for your heart - I'm needing some of that holy radar!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi Cathi! We all need to keep our Holy Radar fine tuned - or maybe your GPS (God's Powerful Spirit)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your prayers...and comments! we love you and can not wait to meet you.. give mama a hug and kiss for me.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - have a safe trip home - any good trip tips would be appreciated - maybe after you get that web cam! Will be praying for you - leaving will be tough!

Tiffani said...

Fascinating, and well put.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Tiffani - welcome to my blog - if I knew where you were maybe I could help put up hay! lol! Mama & I live near Kalamazoo, MI.

Robin said...

Papa - no time isn't standing still - its moving slowly at times though. I have so much to do before December though, so sometimes it seems to be moving too quickly.

Life Adapted said...

Hi Papa. This is what I thought when I finished reading the first part of your post and saw the second picture, it is something I tell my kids all the time, "You can't unring the bell." Once it's done, you can't take it back. So that's why your advice is key - always let God lead and then we won't have the need to unring the bell. Great post. Be blessed.

CrossView said...

Oh no! Now that song is stuck in my head! =P

Indian Lake Papa said...

Crossview: Sorry about that! LOL! That song sticks in my mind as well.

Life Adapted: I was laying in bed talking with mama this morning and thinking about many of the choices I/We have made through the years - none of which could we "unring" if we wanted to. Have a great Lord's day.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Robin - you are so right - how do I slow this thing down ??? It is going way too fast - too much to do and places to go! lol