Almost lost—but found—at sea
In his article titled “God’s Law of Adjustment,” Adam H. Dickey asks, “If a man were drowning in mid-ocean with apparently no human help at hand, there is a law of God which, when rightly appealed to, would bring about his rescue.” The writer continues: “Does the reader doubt this? Then he must believe that it is possible for man to find himself in a condition where God cannot help him” (The Christian Science Journal, January 1916). Mr. Dickey goes on to explain the spiritual laws taught by Jesus and explained by Mary Baker Eddy that confirm God’s ability to help anyone, anywhere. His point is that God is the only lawmaker. As we appeal to divine law in times of need, it reveals spiritual solutions that restore us and enable us to find the solutions we need.
An experience I had many years ago provides additional support for Mr. Dickey’s conviction of God’s power. When I was ten years old my dad and mom, who were both experienced sailors, contracted to deliver a 32-foot sailing boat across the Pacific Ocean to California. My two sisters and I accompanied our parents, receiving a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The voyage was intended to last approximately 30 days.
Several weeks into the trip, the severe winter weather conditions began to wear on the sailing vessel. Then we encountered many storms, including a full force gale. The ship lost power, had a broken jib (sail), and rudder. Without a rudder and power to the engine we began to drift toward Alaskan waters. At one point, I remember my mom gathering us children below deck to read the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly.
I believe our prayers brought about our rescue.
My mom had been raised to pray utilizing these Bible Lessons, which had brought much healing and comfort. She taught us to rely on them for guidance throughout our lives. Although the waves and winds did not cease at that moment, I felt an inner conviction and trust that God would continue protecting our family and guide us all the way. Taking the helm of thought in this way, I quieted clamoring fears that the ship would be lost and that our lives were in danger, too. This “adjustment” in my thinking was a proof of God’s law operating on our behalf.
My dad was able to contact the Coast Guard before the radio’s battery drained completely, but they were not able to get a fixed coordinate by our last transmission. We had seen a Navy aircraft fly overhead, and although it wasn’t the rescue plane we were expecting, the Coast Guard was able to contact the plane and obtain our location from it.
This became the turning point in my assurance that “with God all things are possible,” as promised in the Scriptures (Matthew 19:26 ). And the ability of Jesus himself to walk on the water and to calm storms is proof of God’s power over wind and wave.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote a message to her Church regarding the Christ-spirit that Jesus so perfectly expressed: “Christ walketh over the wave; on the ocean of events, mounting the billow or going down into the deep, the voice of him who stilled the tempest saith, ‘It is I; be not afraid.’ Thus he bringeth us into the desired haven, the kingdom of Spirit; …” (Message to The Mother Church for 1902, pp. 19–20 ).
And for us, in that urgent hour when it seemed all might be lost, our trust in God was not in vain. I believe our prayers brought about our rescue. What seems to me to be the aptly named Coast Guard Cutter “Rush” came to pick us up.
So by the grace of God and through this proof of rescue, I can answer “Yes, I believe God can help in any circumstance, even in the midst of the sea.”
A note from Seaward’s sister, Ballan Keen, who was also on the boat:
When the Navy plane saw us in the ocean, they did not know we needed help. We congratulated the search party for finding us (telling them over the radio). The plane then turned and left! The search party told us they had not found us—the plane we’d seen wasn’t part of the rescue—and asked if we’d seen a number on the plane as it went by us. Seaward had seen the number, and remembered it. The search party was then able to contact the Navy and find the plane that had seen us. Seaward was ten and I was 13 when this happened. It was a wonderful healing and learning experience for our whole family. With God all things are possible!
