The deck rolled beneath my feet like I was trying to walk on a barrel. The constant howl of the ice-cold wind and the slap and pummel of the frigid salt water didn’t help either. I ran from port to starbord trying to secure the ropes. It seemed for each one I tied firm, another ripped free, the frayed ends singing as the ripped back and forth.
Lightning crashed, thunder boomed, and I began to hear an ominous cracking sound coming from the mast. I had long since given up trying to control the rudder, it began to spin out of control. I wouldn’t let anyone else near it either.
The ship pitched violently, and I went down, sliding towards deck’s edge, about to plunge into the seething abysmal sea.
Suddenly, a strong arm grabbed me and I stopped sliding. I looked up into my Captain’s face. Pulling on His strength I stood up, still grasping firmly to His forearm.
“The ship is lost, Sir! What are we going to do?”
He gazed at me impassively, saying nothing. I began to get angry.
“Sir, I don’t understand why we are here! The signs of storm were clear! Your orders to sail in this direction must have been mistaken.”
I started to pull my hand away from His, but the bucking ship made me reconsider. My face was inches from His, yet I yelled to be heard.
“Captain, we must turn back. I see no way ahead! Sir, we must!”
A twinkle showed in His grim eyes, and grin pulled at His serious visage.
“Must we?” His words were quiet, but I could somehow hear them. “What’s your name, sailor?”
It was then I ceased to hear the storm, to feel the rocking beneath me, to heed the waves. I felt ashamed.
My Captain had named me StormRider. This is what I did. Why then should I be afraid? Why should I lose my faith in Him?
I heard Him again, He was asking me a question, gesturing towards the wheel of the ship.
“May I? Do you trust me?”
And I let Him, for I would trust Him to lead me anywhere.
allegorical story for recent happenstance
a simple man 