The Wise Old Captain

Terrence Quadros S.J. Food for Thought - Stories from Home
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Boat
 
        There is a story about a sea captain who in his retirement skippered a boat
        to take day-trippers to Shetland Islands.
        
        On one trip the boat was full of a wide assortment of people all out to enjoy themselves at the outing. They laughed at the old captain when they saw him say a prayer before sailing out, because the day was fine and the sea was calm.
        
        They weren't long at sea when a storm suddenly blew up and the boat began to pitch violently. The terrified passengers came to the captain and asked him to join them in prayer.
        
        He replied, " I say my prayers when it is calm.
                         When the seas are rough I attend to my ship!"

           

It is when things are calm that building up of our resources  is the wiser thing to do.
 
If I had drunk more water when I was healthy then there might not have been the storm of kidney-stone suffering.
 
If one studies during the year when one is calm then exams need not be stormy experiences....
 
So also with marriages and bringing up children and  relationships and careers and handling one's finances and other things.
 
I have always believed that married couples should go for counselling when they are happy and very much in love. They could then learn how to maintain and even enhance the level of the wonderful relationship that they have.
So far not a single couple has come to me in this state ...but I can hope and wait...
 
There is a lot to be said for "Disaster Management".... but if there is wise utilization of  and preparation for during calm times then disasters may not occur at all.
And if they do occur then we will be better able to handle them.
 
So say your prayers when the seas and the winds are calm....
Should the weather ever become rough you will better be able to handle your ship!

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