Page 9 - Moms For America

As the mighty Mississippi River wanders through the city of Minneapolis, the water travels through a series of rapids and falls. To accommodate boat travelers, a lock system has been built to safely bring the boats to a lower water level. An observation deck has been built for those who would like to watch the lock fill with water, receive a boat, drain the water and then let it out the other side. One day, those who came to observe this day to day routine, witnessed something out of the ordinary. A gentleman in a fishing boat had missed the turn for the lock and got caught in a current that was swiftly taking him away towards the falls. The people watched, terrified, wondering what they could do to help. As the boat approached the falls, somehow it got lodged between two rocks. Time had been suspended, as the man in the fishing boat stopped with his boat tilting at a severe angle at the brink of the falls. Those who observed at the side quickly called for help and tried to find a way to assist the gentleman. The man in the boat was left with a view of rushing water all about him and a perfect awareness of the impending doom, if his boat were to become dislodged. Fears were raging, yet everyone could see a panic response resulting in sudden movements could easily dislodge the boat and send it over the falls. I had the opportunity to watch the rescue effort on the news. A helicopter was brought in and a rescue worker secured himself to a harness and cable where he would be lowered from the helicopter to the boat, retrieve the gentleman and lift him to safety. To help the man in the boat remain calm and understand his role in this rescue effort, other workers were involved in talking to him over a loud speaker. They spoke of hope and reassurance as they redirected this man’s thinking from the water rushing about him to the helicopter and rescue worker above. Directions were given with clarity and optimism. The man focused his attention on what he needed to do. The rescue workers showed their courage and skill as they carefully lifted this man to safety. Cheers of gratitude and relief were expressed as the rescue workers and victim were brought to shore safe and sound. This rescue operation was successful because both the rescuers and the victim recognized what needed to be done for a safe recovery. The rescue team was well trained and they knew the harness and cable were completely trustworthy. Every effort was made to keep the victim’s attention focused on the rescuers above and not on the destructive forces that were surrounding him. By shifting the focus away from the problem and towards the solution, all participants were anchored in the hope of success. What is hope? The dictionary defines hope as a belief, even a confidence, that the future event is attainable. In my personal life, I have discovered that hope is a powerful energy force that keeps us moving forward in spite of the obstacles that may confront us. Hope is an anchor during the winds of adversity. Hope is the antidote for discouragement and despair. Hope is the fuel that propels us towards success. How do we find hope? The incident with the man in the boat suggests two vital steps. First, we must shift our focus from the problem to the solution. When the gentleman in the boat could only see the force of the water that was surrounding him, his fear intensified. But when he shifted his attention to the rescuers above, a feeling of hope gave him courage to hang on and do his part. Second, we must recognize that our solution is trustworthy. We need to have confidence that the plan will work. By identifying and executing a viable solution, we pave the way for hope to pour into our souls. Kids 1: Anchored in Hope Anchored in Hope by Tammy Hulse Moms for America ✯ Cottage Kids 5