I knew a man who loved to sail, and all his life, that love prevailed.

He rarely, if ever, felt fear of the deep, but navigated well if the waves became steep.

He had sure confidence through faith in the Lord, which was always apparent to those on board.

He grew up by a lake in a midwestern state; his early love of sailing didn’t dissipate.

He served in the Navy during a tough war…then, afterwards, sailed his own boat along peaceful shores.

He did some exploring, loving to roam…even making his sturdy sailboat, for a time, the family home.

He and his wife connected with churches on their way, which was a great time to recharge spiritually and take time to pray.

A while ago, he made it to heaven through that “final sea.”  His nautical chart, then, was, as it always was, “Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”

P. A. Oltrogge

Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee–
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!