There was once a ship named Hope.
She had four captains.
The first was named Anger.
The second, Faith.
The third, Discouragement.
And the fourth, Confidence.
It's because all ships know that storms come.
They know that storms always bring great worry, fear, and instability.
And all ships know that these four captains are needed to bring the vessel through.
When the skies darken, Anger takes the helm.
And when the hatches are battened and the crew takes their stations, Faith appears.
When the waves start lashing the deck, Discouragement often takes over.
But as the crew works through the night, they do so with Confidence at the helm.
Friends, the storms come.
Instability in governments.
Uncertainty in our jobs.
Unpredictability in our relationships.
Even changes in our parish life.
And as the storms come we Christians instinctively reach for Hope.
So let us not be despondent but understanding that the journey has many phases, anger, faith, discouragement, and confidence.
So let us not be despondent but understanding that the journey has many phases, anger, faith, discouragement, and confidence.
And let us remain firm in knowing that God is ultimately in charge, invisibly guiding the ship, assuring us that all things work for the good of those whom God loves.
