Jib Sail by Sharon Heagy

 

            Wind swept across the lake giving the surface the appearance of a starling murmuration. Tickling the diamonds of sunlight, the breeze hurried across the hull of the Snipe sailboat and huffed into the jib sail, billowing it out. It swirled around the mast and filled the mainsail, snapping it to attention. 

            Off we went, the boat cutting through the rippling blue water. The pearl white sails caught sudden gusts, causing the boat to lean sharply away from the wind. Quickly we stretched the weight of our bodies windward over the other side for balance, trying to remember everything we had learned so we didn’t end up in the drink.

            This was my first experience sailing. But many lessons were learned before we boarded the boat and left the dock. 

            A Snipe sailboat has two sails, a jib sail in the front and a larger mainsail behind. Though the jib is not necessary to sail the boat, there are an abundance of reasons why sailing with both is better.

            Without getting too technical and because I don’t quite grasp all the science, the lessons revealed that sailing with a jib increases speed, as it adds more sail surface to catch more wind. It improves handling, as balance is gained when there is one sail ahead and one behind of a specific place called the pivot point. This small but mighty sail increases the efficiency of the mainsail as it redirects the wind to a better angle. Even tall ships have jib sails which function in the similar ways.

            In Newfoundland they have a ceremony where a resident of the Rock will bestow on you the title of ‘Honorary Newfoundlander.’ Part of the formalities requires you to repeat the phrase ‘And long may your big jib draw.’ In other words, ‘may the wind always be in your forward sails.’ Or, may things go well for you. If your jib is drawing it’s filled with wind, making the journey easy and swift.

            Being a Christian writer is like sailing a boat with two sails. Many writers can write, and write well, without even acknowledging the One who has given them their gift. Just like a sailor can sail a boat with just the mainsail. But relying on the guidance and inspiration of our Holy triune God is like adding a jib sail to our writing. He is out front, leading, guiding, making our writing into a craft and an artform as the wind of the Holy Spirit redirects our thinking for God’s purposes, and for His glory. This realignment of our sense of what we are doing and why makes the process sacred.

            Even though writing is hard work that can sometimes lead to frustration, drawing on His strength and resting in His hands lends an easiness and gentleness that takes away the stressful edge and makes the labour a joy.   

As writers of faith, we must never forget our jib sail, the Lord. My prayer is that I will remember this lesson of not what but Who the wind is in my sails, and maybe you will too. 

“And long may your big jib draw.”

Note: The picture above is the front of a greeting card my husband gave me for our anniversary the other day. What perfect timing. Thanks, Lord. Really wonderful as we rarely give each other cards or celebrate our anniversary.