Onboard the Relation 'Ship'

There are very few people if I must boldly say, that want to be alone or without a partner in this world. Each and every one of us wants that special person in our lives who will journey with us on this walk of life. I once heard someone say that the reason we need a partner is so that someone can witness our lives as we go about it, so that we do not need to walk this journey alone.

This journey, I would liken to a voyage at sea on a ship, wherein from the moment you get on the ship till you reach your destination, it usually is a long, adventurous and a difficult one. The sea is beautiful and it is also dreadful, there are stops on the way which have unexpected treasures, but also unforeseen dangers. There are nights you have to stay up because you need to keep watch for that iceberg along the path, there are days where you have no shelter because of the rains. However, there is one thing which we know for sure, is that in all of this, the crew bond and grow together, have beautiful experiences, sing shanties and have amazing stories to tell.

So Ahoy, Sailor! Hop on board this cruise ship, which will give you a glimpse of what it is like to be aboard the Relation 'Ship', so as to offer you some encouragement, hope and wisdom to maneuver on the unpredictable seas of Love!

This is where you get all your essentials, your valuables, your baggage and most importantly, yourself, to come and embark on the journey you so willfully agreed and committed to make with your partner. Usually this moment should symbolize a lifelong commitment you make with a person i.e., marriage, and the destination is the end of your life. However, we see quite a few people making decisions out of self interest, hopping on smaller boats and seeking just a momentary thrill or temporary gain.

You usually leave your old life behind at this point and submit to the journey which lies ahead of you. There will be many who will not want you to get on that ship, as it will mean letting go for them. Also there will be people who will try to steal your ticket, the life that you are going to have. There will be cold feet, whether you will be able to make this journey, if it will work out or not. But these feelings and circumstances my friends, may be part of any thrilling, adventurous and unpredictable decision you will take throughout your life.

Now that everything is onboarded, you have said your goodbyes, its time for one final look toward the boardwalk. The life that you are leaving behind, the people that you may not ever see again, the old habits that you have let go of and the weight of any threats from the past being lifted as you turn to look ahead, first, admiring your partner, then to see in the background a future of opportunities, exploration, growth and love. As you take it all in, here is a place where many have a choice to turn back, give up or give into their doubts, fears and anxieties. Choose not to give into those feelings and you will be locked into the wind as you set sail on a journey of daily commitment to improve, sacrifice and lead.

As the journey begins, it is imperative that each partner must understand their responsibilities which they must take up in the daily operation of the ship. This is where wanting to understand our partner, our willingness to do all it takes and letting go of wanting to keep scores on who is doing more work will come to be a peace offering. Although there will be times when both of you will be exhausted and the ship may get damaged due to unforeseen circumstances, we in our capacity must ensure to run the ship in a loving and efficient manner wherein one partner doesn't get burnt out due to an imbalance of action and the ship is operational and maintained well with no part of it being neglected. It is important that responsibilities are segregated in a way that are balanced and tailored to your strengths.

Next, there will be an understanding of where you want to go and how to get there. That would be your direction, purpose in life. You can get to that by talking to each other and coming to a consensus. There will be debates, misunderstandings and disagreements. It could mean that what ever take you guys have opposing views on, there maybe a third take on it which you will agree on. It is the effort you put in to come to an agreement that will help you, not proving that you know better or how your partner is wrong.

There will be some places where you know where to go, sometimes it will be your partner who knows, sometimes it will be the wind that takes you. This is to say that there will be a lot of planned and unplanned events in your lives, something can go wrong in any of your plans or none of your plans may work out, it does not mean that one should have planned better, rather, these are redirections towards the purpose and direction you have decided to have for your lives. There will be stops along the way which we need to make to seek the help we need during our struggles by meeting the required people, making necessary repairs to damages and don't forget the shopping to restock essential supplies like food, water, clothing and maybe some showpieces for the ship!

There will be tough situations along the way, known dangers like rough seas, storms and pirates that make you anxious of the path to come. Sharks in the water always threatening to eat you alive if you ever take a fall. Long and hot days, cold and lonely nights make you wonder why you said yes to this journey. But then you together see the moonlight reflecting on the waters and the stars on display, be there for each other when lonely, endure together the struggles of the day, holding on to each other saying "You wont fall, I've got you", facing dangers head on and providing an assurance that "as long as we are together, we can overcome", that is what we live for!

Treasure is something which you will definitely find on this journey, an idea that turned out to be a success, a fancy job, a good investment, a home, a car, a child or multiple children, a beautiful community and of course, gold & jewelry! These things only add to the excitement of this journey with your loved one. But be wary, that you may not lose sight of the reason you are in the position to receive such treasure. The reason being the journey you embarked on with your partner. It is not only by your own efforts that you have come to this position, so value things of love, companionship and humility above material gain and you shall continue to steer in safe waters, while you enjoy the bounty of the sea!

There will always be a lifeboat which you can take and leave your partner. But remember, the lifeboat is there only for when the ship is sinking, not for you to run away from the slightest difficulty. If you choose to run away with the lifeboat, you are not only risking your own life at sea alone, you are also risking your partners life if the ship goes down! There will be mermaids which will tempt you, attempts to make you unfaithful toward your partner. False dreams and pursuits will take you away from your actual purpose and direction in the form of mirages. There will be monsters you will face at sea, which are your deepest fears and in the stillness of the sea have divine encounters which will instill in you the strongest faith.

Lost your direction? Fret not, look for the light. If you truly believe and keep pressing on, the light from the lighthouse will be visible and it will guide you back to the direction of your destiny. For the light which guides you is always in you and will be with those who believe and earnestly seek God with all their heart.

Godspeed, Sailors!