I remember reading the US NEWS & WORLD REPORT article entitled “Costa Rican Fishermen Rescued by Cruise Ship After 20 Days Adrift” (Alexa Lardieri, Dec. 24, 2018)… and thinking of hope.

Two fishermen found themselves lost at sea for twenty days, out of gas with little food and water gone. This was their desperate circumstance when rescued by a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that “happened” along.

Their memorable near-death adventure lead them near Grand Cayman Island between Jamaica and Cuba. After leaving Costa Rica they cast their nets, and both men fell asleep while winds increased.

They awoke to find they had been blown far from their nets and ran out of gas trying to return to land. They had enough food and water for seven days. When food supplies were depleted, they fished for food, but the need for water became critical.

When rescued one of the fishermen was unable to walk and was carried aboard the cruise ship. Health care professionals examined them and provided needed care, food, and water.

Both fishermen disembarked the ship in Jamaica with both of them walking. The ship’s crew donated about $300 USD to help provide them with clothes and food.

The Royal Caribbean ship, Empress of the Seas, had not been scheduled to travel the route where the men were rescued. They were supposed to be enroute to Cuba, but storms and dangerous weather forced them to change course.

A ship spokesman commented, “Pure luck, lining of the stars, God, whatever you choose to believe, the facts are we would not have been in that area at the time had we not switched to go to Jamaica, and you can’t help but think there was a greater plan, but I’ve already seen a Christmas miracle.”

I agree with the miracle aspect of this deduction. I believe these two fishermen survived this near-tragedy because of a divine plan. I do not believe in coincidence; I believe the ship was divinely appointed to be in the location to rescue the men.

I hope they are thankful to the One Who coordinated their rescue on the Carribean Sea. I hope they trust the One Who can lead them through rough seas in storms of life and Who can see them to safe harbor when it really counts at the end of life’s journey.

May we all see the miracles in our lives and respond to the Miracle Giver with thanks, devotion, and love.

“Stretch forth Your hand from on high; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters….” (Psalm 144:7)

“… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior….” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Today’s blog is a reminder to give thanks to our great God of hope. Let’s be thankful everyday not just one day each year as we celebrate a national holiday. If we Americans ever doubt there’s much for which to be thankful, then let’s consider the following.

We will eat more today than most people in this world will eat this week. We drive our air conditioned or heated vehicles while billions will never own a car.

We will sleep tonight in our heated or cooled bedrooms while most of the world will sleep shivering or sweating.

If we have more health than sickness today, then we are more blessed than the one million who will die this week.

If today we aren’t facing dangers of battle, loneliness of imprisonment, suffering of torture, or hunger pains of starvation, then we are better off than 500 million people.

If today we are not afraid of being harassed, arrested, tortured, or killed, then we have it better than 3 billion people.

If we have food in our refrigerator, clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads, and a place to sleep, then we are richer than 75% in our world.

If we have any money in the bank or even spare change in our pocket, then we are in the top 8 percent of the richest people in the world.

If we can read a paragraph in a book or sign our names, then we are better off than 775 million who can neither read nor write.

Dare we doubt that God has blessed us? Do we have any reason to thank Him everyday? He deserves our thanks, and He wants it. What will our thanksgiving do for God?

Pastor James Merritt stated eloquently, “Thanksgiving is the music that brightens the face of God. It is the spark that warms the heart of God. It is the love that kisses the hand of God.”

Let’s communicate with God today, but let’s not ask Him to bless us. Instead let’s give Him thanks and bless Him; He deserves it. The Bible instructs, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”(Psalm 100:4)

I want to thank James Merritt for the reminder to give thanks to God everyday and for the numerical info that I gleaned from one of his messages. He is Pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Atlanta, Georgia. For years I have been blessed by his televised sermons.

Visit the website @ touchinglives.org for info about a ministry that is truly touching lives… including mine.

Tag: thanks

RESCUED FISHERMEN: HOPE IN A GREATER PLAN