"Thy Sea Is Great, Our Boats Are Small"

Continuing with our nautical theme as promised,

VOYAGERS 

O Maker of the Mighty Deep
Whereon our vessels fare,
Above our life’s adventure keep
Thy faithful watch and care.
In Thee we trust, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
We know not where the secret tides
Will help us or delay,
Nor where the lurking tempest hides,
Nor where the fogs are gray.
We trust in Thee, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
When outward bound we boldly sail
And leave the friendly shore,
Let not our heart of courage fail
Until the voyage is o’er.
We trust in Thee, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
When homeward bound we gladly turn,
O bring us safely there,
Where harbor-lights of friendship burn
And peace is in the air.
We trust in Thee, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
Beyond the circle of the sea,
When voyaging is past,
We seek our final port in Thee;
O bring us home at last.
In Thee we trust, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) 

I thought of this as I stared out the window of our jet during a recent flight over the ocean. It was at the point where I could see neither land nor ship from horizon to horizon. It is little wonder the Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 was never found. The vast ocean conceals many lost souls, ships, and aircraft.

After my return to our home port, a quick glance at our Carolina skies reminded me who watches over us as we travel, especially whenever we journey across an empty, wine dark sea.