Water and the Word: Oar of Hope

Jonah 1:17 But the Lord provided a large fish

to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly

of the fish three days and three nights.

Three days and three nights,

not just in the fish's belly, but also

in the depths of the sea;

tossed away as a talisman

to calm the storm.

Have you, like I,

felt that storm,

known the darkness

of the beast's belly?

Have you been pitched on the shore,

given another chance

to proclaim what you know?

I'm on that beach every day,

wondering how my story,

told with unvarnished honesty,

and my life, lived with selfless generosity,

might provide an oar of hope

for someone adrift;

a garafone of cool, clean water

for a family who thirsts

for health and dignity.

© 2021 Todd Jenkins

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