Teamwork

Over the last couple of days, I got to paddle the Nantahala Falls with my dad. This is classified as a Class III rapid, and it's a good idea to scout the rapid before running it to make sure you know how you are going to chart your course. 

As we were getting in the boat yesterday, I was a little nervous as we had not paddled yet together on this trip, and I really wanted to make sure I pulled my weight and did my part well as he is quite an experienced paddler.  I was in the bow (the front) and he was in the stern (the back) of the boat, and while the front paddler has an important role to play with solid forward strokes and some steering, the person in the stern has the most important part in determining the steering in the back.  

Thankfully, we nailed it both days together (with a high five at the end after we paddled into an eddy), and let's just say that he made me look good!  I loved getting to experience the thrill of getting down the rapid safely and successfully (with cheers from my mom, Anna, and Taylor from the side of the river when they were watching us). See this video: https://youtu.be/2WTsydoNgpI of us paddling together on Tuesday. 

As I thought about the gift of getting to do this with my dad, I was also thinking about the ways that God invites us to join Him in his work as well.  We do have an important part to play, but we can trust that God has the strength to support our course and to help us determine the best way to go.  There is joy in getting to be a part of something bigger than ourselves-- maybe even with a few high fives along the way.