HOW DO YOU HIDE A BOAT? June 2025

There is an unique phenomenon that happens in a very specific area of my neighborhood. I live in a well maintained residential area on the top of a mountain where in order to arrive at Casa #27; you travel up and down steep hills, curve back and forth and around. Near my townhouse is a small children's park with red flowery shrubs, swaying palm trees and soft green grass. My residential complex is located 1 mile on the main road to Coxen Hole, the main hub of Roatan. It is about 1/2 mile from the ports where cruise ships dock. The area is beautiful with the mountains, the jungle, and glimpses of the bay. It is quiet, and far enough away from the hustling ports, the insane traffic, the noise, and the crowds of Coxen Hole.

This unique event happens frequently. The first time you see it occur, it grabs your attention and makes you do a double take. The kind of double take of "now you see it....now you don't." And you ask obviously stupid questions?

"How did that get there?"

"Is that a cruise ship?"

"In the mountains?"

"In the ocean?"

Now you don't......Empty cruise ship port hidden behind a round house, the jungle and mountains. There is also a small blue house hidden in this photo.

When we come into this world we are given a precious boatload of gifts from God that are beautiful, full of goodness and designed to give us humans a more fulfilling, purposeful life. Among God's innumerous pure gifts, God has given humanity:

• the ability to give and receive love

• happiness

• peace

• joy

• value

• dignity

• self respect and self esteem

• the ability to know and imitate him

• the desire to create art, music and beautiful things

• the ability to appreciate his creation

• the ability to make choices

• salvation

• heaven

• friendships and relationships

• the ability to sense the world around us

• the pleasure of good food and drink

• harmony

• hopes and dreams

• purpose

• health

• thankfulness and gratitude

• humility

• kindness

• empathy

• optimism

• resilience

• integrity

• self awareness

• curiosity

• discipline

• prayer

• acceptance

• mindfulness

• compassion

• patience

• clarity and truth

• simplicity

• ability to detach from pain

• ability to perspective and achieve emotional balance

When sin entered the world, all those beautiful perfect gifts God intended for humanity became distorted, ugly, fearful, portals for anxiety, and terrifying. They are hidden disguised and absent.

How do you hide a boat?

You hide it behind bloodshot dark eyes that have seen too much oppression; by the slow deliberate walking with heads bowed. You hide it with low uncertain voices; afraid to speak. It is hidden by a heart that has been broken one too many times and has become jaded That boat is hidden by tough skin, a certain hardness in the soul, being guarded and by fake smiles. It is hidden by darkness and black spirits that suck the light from every space in your mind. It is hidden by war weary bodies; scarred, bandaged together and fragile. This boat of splendor and goodness is hidden by broken trusts, poverty, half truths, deceits, stolen dignity, suppressed voices, biogrty, lack of peace, prejudices, and those those jabbing lies you have heard your entire life.

"You aren't worthy enough."

"You deserve to be working at the dump."

"You are ignorant and stupid."

"You are poor and have no value."

"You don't deserve to live."

" You are just a stupid ugly woman."

God in his gracious wisdom, love and glory has a marvelous plan to regift that splendid boat load of precious jewels that was lost through the trials and hardships of life. And the beauty of this plan is that God uses broken redeemed humans to lead other broken humans to the beating heart of Jesus; the essence of God's unconditional love. When broken humans follow God's command to love other broken humans, transformations take place in hearts, souls and minds.

A hug from a stranger says: "you are valued enough to be touched."

A smile spreads kindness and acceptance.

Sincere encouraging words fill up another's love cup.

"A job well done" builds confidence in skills and abilities.

Offering apologies, forgiveness, patience, and grace as God commands when feelings are hurt or mistakes made is extremely powerful as God works on the brokeness. When eyes meet, there is acceptance. When hearts touch, there is love, and when souls connect, there is reconciliation. God shows up miraculously replacing the hurt, the shame, the accusing lies and reveals the boat load of wonderful gifts made especially for his glorious creation. And that is when you see it; the hidden boat load of good things God has prepared for us.

Now you see it.....Round house with a cruise ship parked behind it.