As I was tubing down the Chattahoochee River recently I began to think of many ways that experience is similar to living life.

I started out feeling a little uncomfortable with this new experience, but eventually getting the feel for it.  Just as things began to feel settled, we ran into a rock.  This required some maneuvering and pushing to get around the rock and then we were on our way again.

The trip was interrupted again by a large group of rocks where several other people were already stopped, trying to work their way through.

My tube was tethered to the tube of a friend.  At one point we found ourselves stuck on either side of a very large rock.  No matter what we tried, we couldn’t seem to get free.  Then unexpectedly, someone on another tube hit the side of my friend’s.  Although a bit unsettling at first, that is exactly what we needed to free us.  We were on our way again.

We relaxed (kind of) and enjoyed floating along for awhile but found ourselves going backwards.  It was very uncomfortable not being able to see what was coming.

Then there were the times when we felt very uneasy because we did see what was coming and it didn’t look good!  A big drop off or a row of large rocks almost all the way across the river.  Observing the people ahead of us helped to brainstorm the best strategy for getting through.

Some of those big drops resulted in a lot of very cold water in the tube.  There were times when I was fearful of not being able to stay in the tube.  Thankfully I did.  My friend, however, spent some time in the river.  During one of those times I found myself and both tubes traveling along without her.  Not a good feeling – for either of us.

Isn’t life the same way?!  We get comfortable just floating along, and then we hit a rock.  We work and think and figure out how to get around it and eventually settle back into the flow.

Then we encounter an even bigger rock that not only affects us, but a lot of people around us.  This issue may take more effort and even cooperation with others.

That really big rock that has us feeling like we are totally out of the water and stuck is the toughest.  We try to get around, doing everything we can think of.  Nothing seems to help.  That is when we need to rely on the assistance of someone else.  There are times when we just can’t do it on our own.

We make a life plan and think we are on our way, but do we ever really know what tomorrow holds?  There is always uncertainty.  Life brings us unexpected adventures.  No matter how hard we try, we cannot control everything in life.

Sometimes we find ourselves facing very real danger head on.  There is worry, fear and pain.  It may even look impossible.  Seeking out someone who has been through a similar struggle and survived is what keeps us moving forward.

And yes, life just feels like we are sitting in the cold water sometimes.  Whether in the tube or in the river.  We just keep going.  We reach out to one another with encouragement and friendship and we keep going.

As I think back over this experience, I realize that getting through the uncertain, fearful times made me really appreciate those peaceful moments.  Having a friend to share it all with made it much more enjoyable.  And the ultimate knowledge that God has His hand on us all the way makes it all ok.

Enjoy the journey so you can live . . . your life to the fullest.