Intelligent and insightful, spiritual but down-to-earth – and with a crisp British accent besides.

One of the things she talked about resonates to this day.

She talked about the Plimsoll Line.

In the late 1800’s ships were often unseaworthy, over loaded and poorly packed. The crews were in constant danger while unscrupulous owners got rich at their expense.

Then along came Samuel Plimsoll.

 Born in Bristol, England in 1824 he went into commerce as a young man. When a business venture failed he lived for several months in dormitory lodging with others who were struggling to eke out a living. He developed a compassion for the downtrodden.

 Successful once again, he became a Member of Parliament and decided to focus his attention on improving the shipping industry. His efforts brought about what is known as the Plimsoll Line. The Plimsoll Line is a reference mark located on the hull of a commercial ship that indicates the maximum depth to which the vessel may be safely immersed when loaded with cargo. This depth varies with a ship’s dimensions, type of cargo, time of year, and the water densities encountered in port and at sea.

 That’s pretty important to those who work in shipping, but to the rest of us it’s a mildly interesting story at best. What possible relevance did it have for the group of young mothers who sat listening to Jill Briscoe?

 “You see,” said Jill, “We all have a Plimsoll Line. It was put there by God and is very specific to each of us. In order to function properly, to be the best we can be, each of us has to know our own line and not overload our ship.”

 At that time my ship was so overloaded it was in danger of going down in the next squall. My father-in-law had died. My 18 month old son was a handful. I had many responsibilities at church.

 I needed to apply what I had learned about the Plimsoll Line.

 I didn’t.

 Three years later my ship sank.

 It took at least that many years to raise it again. 

 And a few more to make it seaworthy.

 One would think after all that I’d have learned where my lines are.

 Not fully.

 My ship still gets overloaded from time to time with commitments, appointments, phone calls, cooking, cleaning, clothing,  painting, plumbing, planting,  Facebook, emails,  games,  books, newspapers, magazines.

Each are important in their own way. Some are vital. Many are enjoyable. But without proper thought and balance the ship starts to sink. And that means some things must be jettisoned. 

Sometimes I have to say NO. And sometimes the hardest person to say NO to is me.  Because I want to be able to do it all. 

I am still learning to…

                                  Say ‘No to what is good;

                                  And ‘Yes’ to what is best.

 

God is on the journey, too.

St. Teresa of Avila

Lydia Calder

Mill Woods Presbyterian Church

lydiaonajouney.blogspot.ca