Good Afternoon, TSJ Peeps!
Solomon, our inner voice of wisdom, has been nudging me to try a new way to wind down a day and drift calmly into sleep. I am prone to cram things into the last minute possible of each day.
Do you remember being read to when you were a child? I do not remember that for myself, but I used to do it with my children when they were young. It was a time to snuggle, to listen to their little stories of the day and to read a book that would bring us into a whole new world of imagination. It is both a bonding and relaxing way to end the day.
Even a little bit of stillness of the soul can be a good sleep medicine.
You may have guessed it. As an experiment, I am working to “unplug” early enough in the evening to wind down gently and enhance the probability of falling asleep. So I have reduced my television exposure, Facebook surfing, texting and emailing greatly.
Solomon and SJ are delighted as they happily watch Mr. John and me turn down the lights in the rest of the house and sit in our easy chairs all comfy and cozy. Mr John has been reading to me. He has a melodious voice and is a great reader. How fortunate we feel to be at a time in our lives where we can do this.
He has been reading a book by C.S. Forester called The Good Shepherd. (The title is misleading if you think it is literally about shepherds and sheep). But it is a favorite of John’s and one he would read better than I as he is a retired navy commander and the protagonist of the story is a navy commander.
But it is a reminder that “shepherding” has many connotations. And this novel is about convoy commander Krause’s expertise and challenges in shepherding the convoy ships of our allies against the wolf pack of German U-boats in the Atlantic in World War II. It holds your attention as he is consumed minute by minute with quick decisions and judgments that are multi-layered and have huge consequences on people’s lives. It is after all a war, featuring one battle after another.
At one point, he referred to a U-boat (submarine) as an “Invisible opponent.” And this is the heart of the story. The allied convoy ships are protecting the cargo heading to England. The U-boats are intercepting them every chance they can get, of course. Again, it is war. And Krause must stay alert.
In the soft living room light with John’s deep melodious voice and an occasional explanation for his new wife who knows nothing about life and death on the seas, I am lulled into a reverie. Krause relates in detail the commands and responses necessary to save their lives.
Clearly, with great sacrifice, the men endured freezing rain and cold while hungry, tense and terrified. 
Constantly on edge, they listen for signs of the invisible opponents, the German submarines, and watch and listen for their locations and depth. Once Krause did not even have time to go to the head (bathroom) when his attention and commands were needed so constantly.
Hmm. I wrote down these words on my little notepaper “Invisible Opponent.” I have been pondering that all week. And in the story the opponents were a “wolf pack” of U- boats.
Most of you have read my ramblings about shepherding in biblical times and modern day shepherding – though they are in different contexts. And I have mentioned before that in biblical times the shepherd guarded his flocks against wolves and other predators. So it struck me that the opponents’ U-boats were called a wolf pack.
I think we all need to be shepherded. We need guidance and wisdom against a lot of invisible opponents in our lives. We need to turn to the voices of wisdom. In the novel, Krause has learned to pay attention to both external conditions and his personal internal dialogue to determine the most effective strategies to keep his men strong and safe.
Whether on the stormy seas of war or within the stormy relationships of our homes, in the chaos of a busy hospital or the challenges of a classroom, we need to listen for signs of invisible opponents. It is usually not a submarine. It is usually our own subconscious. There we harbor fears, beliefs, grudges, and negativity – all worthy of our attention and healing when they surface.
How we interpret various events, both large and small, determines how we behave. We must be vigilant. It takes personal discipline, insight, and faith to be good commanders of our own ships.
But even a great commander cannot do it alone. We are born to be in relationship. God designed us peeps to help each other.
I wonder what you identify as your invisible opponents?
Tonight, I plan to resist my compulsions (my invisible opponents buried in a heap of subconscious beliefs) to cram more into the day and discover the comfort of knowing Chief Shepherd is present while I listen to Mr. John’s reading. If nothing else, it is good discipline.
