I had the good fortune to go boating twice this past weekend. Once with parishioners, and once with friends visiting from Germany. Both times we experienced wonderful weather, minimal chop and numerous wildlife sightings ranging from a variety of birds to manatees and dolphins. We came back a bit more tanned and feeling grateful for such friendships!

Both of the boats that we went out on were equipped with GPS units. But that didn't preclude the usefulness and importance of channel markers. We spent time navigating parts of the Calossahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the canals of Cape Coral and Sanibel Island. The channel markers in their bright greens and reds, clearly show where you can safely travel, and where you need to steer clear of shallow waters, sand bars and rocks. Our two pilots were careful to pay heed to the guidance they offered--and we arrived back home safe and sound both times!

Of course, in most of the rest of life we don't have GPS units that provide us with directions--nor do we have brightly colored channel markers. In the realms of ethics and morality, in the arena of personal relationships, we can really feel adrift, wondering what course we should steer as we are confronted with the difficult choices life offers up.

Psychology reminds us of the importance of establishing personal boundaries, and religion provides moral strictures and guidelines. And such things can serve as our own personal channel markers. But just like the red and green signs that line the waters off the Florida coast, our own channel markers won't keep us safe unless we pay attention to their guidance. In the end, GPS units, channel markers, personal boundaries and moral guidelines are only helpful if we use them.

(Photo Credit: Linda Bradbury-Danner)