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Lesson Learned, by Doug Bartlett

8/7/2022

24 Comments

 
A man set sail from a harbor in Southern California crossing the expanse of the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. His goal was to reach the French Polynesia Islands. He got further and further away from civilization until he could no longer see the mainland.

A powerful squall appeared and scuttled his boat leaving him stranded in the water with no land in sight. He began desperately swimming for his life and was barely able to reach the shore of an isolated, deserted island.

He had mixed feelings as he was barely able to drag himself onto the edge of the sandy beach. You see, he was grateful to be alive but at the same time he couldn’t believe that God would put him in this situation. What had he done to deserve this? Why would God do this, or at the very least allow it to happen?

He continued to pray earnestly that he would be rescued soon as he knew his time was very limited.

He explored the small island and found some palm trees which he could use to construct a small hut.

He came to love his little hut as it provided him shelter from the weather and the bugs.

One evening as he returned from further exploration of the island he went into shock and disbelief as he saw his beloved hut was completely engulfed in flames. He felt totally helpless as there was nothing he could do to stop it from burning down to the ground.

His multiple feelings began to boil up from deep within. The first to surface was denial. Was this actually happening?

The second was frustration as he began to realize the amount of labor that had been involved and would be involved again in order to build another hut.

His feelings soon transitioned into pity, self pity and then finally to anger.Now he was really upset with God and gave Him both barrels. The single best thing at this time in his life and it had been taken away from him. It made no sense to him at all.

The next morning when he woke up he couldn’t believe his eyes. A U.S. Coast Guard ship was on the horizon coming straight toward him.

He ran to the edge of the island with joy and when they landed he asked them, “How in the world did you ever find me?”

“Quite simple,” they responded,”We simply followed the fire you set.”

That man learned a valuable lesson that day.
24 Comments
Jim Bartlett link
8/7/2022 04:28:33 pm

Out of the frying pan an into the fire, but in this case, the fire was a guiding light.
Nicely done, Doug
Jim

Reply
Doug
8/7/2022 04:49:22 pm

Thanks Jim. I appreciate it.

Reply
Mike Uptain
8/7/2022 05:09:47 pm

God provides!

My other comment was, how is Art doing these days?

Reply
Doug
8/7/2022 05:43:20 pm

Who knows?

Reply
Don Tassone link
8/7/2022 06:12:24 pm

There is a gift in everything. Great story and lesson, Doug.

Reply
Doug
8/7/2022 07:58:52 pm

Yes, there is a gift in all things. Thanks for those kind words Don.

Reply
Angela Carlton link
8/7/2022 08:06:52 pm

Wow, a topsy-turvy ride with a clever twist.

Reply
Doug
8/7/2022 08:56:01 pm

Glad you enjoyed it Angela.

Reply
michael borjon
8/7/2022 09:52:50 pm

Very enjoyable story Doug!! Well done!!
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, God’s ways are Higher than our ways… Lesson well learned

Reply
Doug
8/7/2022 10:08:55 pm

Thank you Mike. Glad you enjoyed it.

Reply
Marjan Sierhuis
8/7/2022 10:36:48 pm

God works in mysterious ways. Nicely written, Doug.

Reply
Doug
9/7/2022 12:58:46 am

Yes, Marjan, He most certainly does. Thank you for the compliment.

Reply
Dee Lorraine
9/7/2022 02:52:38 am

Proof God answers prayers, but not always in the way we expect. Thanks, for a good story, Doug.

Reply
Doug
9/7/2022 02:54:51 am

Exactly right Dee and thank you for the nice comment.

Reply
Sivan Pillai
9/7/2022 05:16:34 am

Enjoyed the wonderful story, Doug.

Reply
Doug
9/7/2022 05:29:57 am

Thank you, Sivan for those kind words. I'm glD YOU ENJOYED IT.

Reply
Sue Clayton
9/7/2022 06:41:19 am

A modern parable.

Reply
David Milner
9/7/2022 11:47:04 am

Our Father High Above (we pray). Nicely controlled, Doug.

Reply
DOUG
9/7/2022 03:29:48 pm

I consider that a compliment Sue. Thank you.

Reply
Doug
9/7/2022 03:31:17 pm

Thank you for those kind words David.

Reply
Jennifer Duncan
11/7/2022 12:46:29 am

I really like the way you had two tragic events, although the second one led to his rescue. For myself when unexpected nasty stuff happens, I tend to grudgingly mutter that I didn't deserve it. Pride, pride and more pride. You told your story really well.

Reply
Doug
11/7/2022 04:32:58 am

Thank you Jennifer. I don't think you're the Lone Ranger when it comes to that.

Reply
Chuck
12/7/2022 01:41:19 am

Another creative masterpiece.

Reply
Doug
12/7/2022 02:22:59 am

Thank you so much for that nice compliment Chuck.

Reply



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