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To say that my response to the sudden change in weather was youthful would be an understatement. My kids were impressed that I could get into the fetal position in such a narrow boat. "It's only a small squall," Nanu said, helping me to my feet.

I tried to think of something biblical to encourage my family. Jonah came to mind. I began to interrogate my three sons to see which one had refused to go to Ninevah so I could throw him overboard. My wife said that if I insisted on standing and shouting like a madman, I should at least stand in such a way to prevent the wind and rain from messing up her hair. I've always admired her sense of priority.

At this point, I noticed that Grandpa Nanu was sound asleep at the helm. Nanu and my family hadn't noticed because they were too busy arguing about which "Gilligan's Island" character they would be should we become shipwrecked.

I pushed past them and shook Grandpa.

"Don't you care that we're in the middle of a typhoon?" I shouted. "How can you sleep?"

Grandpa Nanu stared at me through eyes that had seen many real tempests and replied softly, "This storm belongs to God, as does my life. He'll do with both what he wishes and it will be good. When the storm is finished, I will wake either here with you or there with him. Don't ask me which I prefer; it will hurt your feelings."

With that, he settled himself back down against the motor and closed his eyes. In a matter of minutes, the ocean was calm.

We glided gracefully into the harbor at the end of the day, thankful that God still uses storms and strangers to impact lives. I did have to promise never to engage in family boating again, but I think I convinced everyone that I'm not really such an old man.

"By the way," Nanu said to my wife as we prepared to leave, "who's paying for the bill, you or your dad?"

Condensed from Christian Parenting Today (July/August 2000), © 2000 Jamie Winship.

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
Click here for reprint information.

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