Sailing By Ash Breeze – February 07, 1999
In the days when sailors depended upon wind to carry them to their destinations, it was not uncommon to hear that someone was “sailing by ash breeze.” The phrase referred to the fact that, when winds died out, sailors often progressed toward their destination by rowing. Oars, at the time, were often made of ash wood; therefore, the term “sailing by ash breeze” meant progressing by one’s own toil and labor.
We’ve all heard this kind of encouragement. Parents, coaches, teachers, and friends have urged us on to bigger and better things with similar phrases, but the real motivation to do better, to push harder, is seldom accomplished by mere words. The desire to progress comes when we can imagine the outcome and know that it’s something worthwhile. For the sailors, it was the anticipation of their destinations that motivated them to row when winds were calm. They knew what waited for them on the land, and that expectation gave them the courage and fortitude to row.
Anticipation of a brighter future, a new opportunity, or an exciting event can also help us through the stormy days of our lives. After a terrible automobile accident, one young man had to learn to walk again. It was a long, excruciating process. As the pain ached through his muscles and joints, he would force his mind to think about what it had been like to run—the feel of the wind on his face, the rhythm of his pounding feet, the sensation of being about to fly. He was able to endure the therapy until eventually he was able to run again. It was never easy, but the desire to walk was constantly fueled by his imagination, and that anticipation motivated him to do the seemingly impossible.
The power of the mind is so incredible that we don’t have to have memories to make our imaginations work for us in this way. We can anticipate and dream things we have never experienced. When dark days come into our lives, we can endure by imagining what it will be like to return to our Heavenly Father. We can imagine the feel of His loving arms around us, welcoming us back into the safety of His presence. We can think about the peace and joy that will be ours. And then, using the power of the “ash breeze,” we can endure whatever trials befall us and find happiness in spite of them.
Program #3625