THERE WAS A large and restless crowd that had gathered toward the end of the pier…

Unable to restrain his curiosity, the man began to walk down the pier and investigate the cause of all of the noise and commotion. Upon investigation he discovered that the object of all the attention was a young man making his last-minute preparations for a solo journey around the world in a homemade boat.

Without exception everyone on the pier was pessimistic. All were actively volunteering to tell the ambitious sailor all the things that could possibly go wrong. “The sun will broil you!” “You won’t have enough food.” “That boat of yours won’t withstand the waves in a storm.” And of course, those familiar words, “You’ll never make it.”

When he heard all of these discouraging warnings to the adventurous young man, he felt an irresistible desire to offer some optimism and encouragement. As the little craft began drifting towards the horizon, the man went to the edge of the pier, waved both of his arms wildly, and began to shout, “Bon voyage! You’re really something! We are with you! We are proud of you!” John Powell,Fully Human, Fully Alive—17-18

8 “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Exodus 17:8-13

Mike Benson