Louisa May Alcott and Jesus Christ Knew How to Sail the Rough Seas!
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“While they were sailing he [Jesus] fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. ”
I am not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. -Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott was familiar with life’s storms. When still a girl, Louisa’s family experienced financial struggles. At a young age, Louisa went to work to help support the family. Louisa was also a tomboy and wanted to play sports with the boys, but was not allowed. When Louisa’s sister Elizabeth became ill, Louisa stepped in to care for her. When Elizabeth died from her illness, Louisa contemplated suicide by drowning, but decided to “take Fate by the throat and shake a living out of her.”
When the Civil War broke out, Louisa enlisted in the Union Army but yet again experienced sexism and was told she could not because she was a woman. She worked at a Union Hospital and, at the age of 30, became a nurse. It was a hospital in poor condition, and she contracted typhoid fever and became critically ill, but in time, she recovered. A decade later, Lousia was caring for her ailing mother, and became deathly ill again, recovered, but this time remained in poor health. She would continue to suffer from numerous illnesses, probably caused by undiagnosed lupus.
While struggling with serious health issues, Louisa legally adopted Anna’s son, John. She gave herself to justice, which ultimately affected her family and her writing. Each new storm took its toll. The day before her father died, Louisa had a stroke, remaining unconscious until her death at the young age of 55. Her early death was not a failure, but a life lived with integrity and inner strength. She lived with compassion, love, and dedication. She recognized the value of the individual and the global community.
Her struggles helped her face future pain with courage because she learned how to sail her ship amid life’s treacherous waters. It is our task to learn how to sail our ship well, because rough seas are inevitable. Jesus stills the Sea of Galilee, which brings faith to his apostles. The storm was necessary for Jesus to model trust and divine power. The rough seas were necessary for Louisa to write from her heart, and for Jesus to convey faithful trust in our all-powerful God. Instead of cursing the storm, embrace it as an opportunity to learn to sail safely, no matter what typhoon lies ahead.
