Sea of Mercy

My boat is wading on the calm waters. 

I stand above deck looking out on all that is around me as you sleep quietly below. 

I feel the cool breeze of the evening coming in as the sun is beginning to set casting a beautiful pink and orange hue on the waters. 

I go to wake you so you can enjoy its beauty with me, but you tell me no. 

You ask me to stay with you and that there will be a beautiful sunrise when I wake that you just cannot wait to see. 

I curl up and fall asleep quickly with the promise that all will be well when I wake. 

It seems though that just as quickly as I fall asleep I am awoken by the crashing of unsteady waves and the roar of thunder and rain. 

I quickly jump out of bed to go assess what is happening above deck, but I stop quickly as I hear those same words leave your lips, 

“No, come and sleep. When you wake there will be the most beautiful sunrise that I cannot wait to see with you.” 

While yes, staying does feel like the safer option, what about my ship? 

I built this ship with my hands, it is a part of me; I have to make sure it is safe. 

I climb to the top deck and am quickly hit with the reality of this storm. 

The rain is beating down on me as I am being rocked side to side in full submission of the crashing waves. 

My sail has been torn to shreds by the strong gusts of wind ripping through the air and I can hear the loud claps of thunder as they sound ever closer. 

What have I done? 

Why have I come out here? 

The rain is falling so hard that it obstructs my vision and I am so disoriented from the rocking of the boat; I can’t find you. 

I can’t even find the hatch to get below deck. 

Tears begin to flow from my eyes as I feel the strong sense that I am going to die out here because I was dumb enough to come out during the storm. 

Then I hear it; the distinct creak of the hatch. 

I see you reaching out for me and I come running into your embrace. 

The same calm quiet voice that I heard before stepping out into that storm leaves your lips,

“Dove, come and sleep, for when you wake there will be the most beautiful sunrise that I cannot wait to see with you.” 

As I lay in your arms I am soon brought enough peace that I fall asleep, but my mind still wanders how this next morning will be as beautiful as you describe. 

That morning I am shaken awake, but not by the rocking of the boat but by you. 

I open my eyes to a face of pure joy and excitement. 

Before I know what I am doing I am running to the deck with you to see what the morning has brought. 

How can I describe the beauty of this sunrise? 

How can I describe how the sun danced on the water? 

How was I supposed to know that the rough and unsteady waves of your mercy were purifying me? 

But that’s it isn’t it? 

I’m not supposed to know. 

I can trust in your rest with me. 

Lord, let me be content in resting through the storm.