I’ll Trust You... No Matter What.

By: Dr. Doug Ford, Production Animal Consultation, and Dr. Greg Quakenbush, Geissler Corp.

Most days while driving I listen to Christian music, a variety of self-help character building CDs, or right-wing political talk programs that spike my blood pressure if consumed in too large a dose. On this particular day in July, I was blessed to have a differ ent listening experience. You could call it a Trisha Yearwood-Alan Jackson moment. One of Trisha Yearwood’s best compositions is, “The Song Remem bers When,” and that was exactly what happened. The song on the radio was “Drive” by Alan Jackson. The line that captured my heart was “a 75 Johnson with electric choke”.

I instantly went back in time with every brilliant word of the song, an anthem for every country kid ever born. (For those not familiar with the “75 Johnson”, this was one of the first and most dependable outboard marine motors ever created.)

Remember back in the day, if you had a six transistor Monkey Wards1 Airline radio clad in black leather and a 75 Johnson2 with an electric choke, you were something special, a man among men? Who could ever ask for more?

I can still see Dad pushing the magic button on the choke while gently tapping the key. Bingo! She would start the first time every time. Light grey smoke would boil out of the 50:1 two cycle engine, creating a smoke screen for 200 yards or more depending on the time of day and outside temperature. Tabanus, Chrysops, Culicoides, assorted mosquitos, and the occasional house fly would fall dead in their tracks, all while Dad was grinning ear to ear. His grin was more noticeable against the pure white layer of Coppertone Sunblock plastered on his entire face, topped off by his goofy blue Dick Tracy fishing hat.

We would head due west from the boat house to our prime fishing spot. The lake was near Gunnison, Colorado, and was known as Taylor Park Reservoir. A large, tall concave dam was flanked on the south and west by very steep rocky slopes. The north and east shorelines were more gradual and on the flats. The best fishing was always in the deep cool water of the steep south and west slopes. It was all good until a sudden severe thunderstorm with 40 mph winds would come from the west. There would literally be 3-foot white caps with no warning. The direction of the wind made it difficult to dock at the boat house-marina. The best scenario was to head for the east shoreline. By the way, 75 horsepower does not mean 75 mph. Dad would stop just off the shoreline in 5 to 10 feet of water and turn the bow of the 18-foot craft into the fierce west headwind where we would ride out the storm.

At the time I did not realize I was learning a lesson on the difference between knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. The first lesson was always plan ahead, unless the fish are biting. The second lesson was to consider the design of the boat. The bow of the boat is designed to plow water while creating minimal resistance. It also deflects waves, small debris, and an occasional unseen rock. Like the boat and storms in life, Dad was teaching me a third valuable les- son: when trials come, courageously and intentionally turn your bow into the wind and face the storm head on. You may take on a little water and bounce off a rock or two, but you will weather the storm.

I am sure when Peter and Jesus were caught in the storm, the first thing the experienced fisherman Peter did was to try to turn the bow of the boat into the wind (a 75 HP Johnson would have really helped). The next thing was to wake up Jesus! Lesson four was do not forget to invite Jesus on the trip, and when in doubt, do not forget to seek His help! (It is called a prayer!)

In the year 2000, I learned another major life-changing lesson after experiencing the tragic loss of my son, Clint, in an airplane crash. Blindsided by the experience, I was lost for a time, totally at the mercy of the storm. The boat of my life took on water and sank because I forgot the lessons. The next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the lake seemingly all alone, treading water.

This experience lasted over a year. During that long painful year, I learned what Job in the Old Testament learned: trust God. Pains leads to perseverance, perseverance leads to hope, and hope leads to transformation. I learned that when you lose hope, you are done. I also learned through this experience that God was not punishing me but preparing me. Christ willingly took my punishment on the cross. Big difference!

Unfortunately, I wasted a year aimlessly treading water until one day The Holy Spirit said, “Doug, just how long can you tread water?” (Perseverance.) He said, “Swim to the east, get to the shore of Hope. Let me back in the boat, for if I am for you, who can be against you?” When I lost hope, I learned the hard way that Jesus is my only hope. That day my attitude changed, and I began the process of getting better. You might say I came back like a biting sow. (Transformation.) Today I always keep my bow into the wind, take Jesus on the trip, and most times insist that He sit in the front seat and “Drive”.

I also learned that once you get to the shore, there is always another storm over the next hill. The difference is now I do not forget the lessons. Ships do not sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Do not let what is happening around you get inside of you and pull you down.

Digging Deeper:

Consider a more detailed look into the Old Testament story of Job. Job lost everything he had (sons and daughters, livestock, workers, wealth) all in a single day. Following this, he was physically afflicted with sores (perhaps boils) on his body from head to toe. To add final insult to injury, Job had some friends who initially silently sat with him in his suffering but later criticized Job and blamed him for his situation. Amid all this intense suffering, confusion, and despair, Job never lost his faith or cursed God. In fact, he is credited with one of the most incredible faith statements in all of scripture: Job 13:15.

Job 13:15 (ESV): Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV): The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

James 1:5-6 (ESV): If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Romans 12:12 (ESV): Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Psalm 39:7 (ESV): And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT): We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment, For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

James 1:2-4 (NASB): Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1Montgomery Ward, one of America’s greatest retailers 1872-2000

2Johnson outboard motor with 75 horsepower

The following articles have been translated into Spanish: