April 15, 2012 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Disaster. One of my newest novels, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, is set on the Titanic, and as I wrote it I couldn’t help but think about my family being on that ship—my husband and kids especially. I tried to picture me and my daughters climbing into a lifeboat and seeing my husband and grown sons standing on the decks. It truly was heartbreaking! Of course, that would have only happened if I was one of the lucky ones. Many mothers had to turn over their children into the arms of strangers. Others stood on the decks, knowing that their own family would soon meet their Maker.
The Titanic disaster was a tragedy that happened 100-years-ago, but it’s lessons are those that be can applied to our lives today.
These are a few that settled in my heart:
1. You can’t guarantee tomorrow. We all know this, but we forget. We live as if we will have tomorrow, and the next day, and the next to focus on what’s really important.
2. Know where you put your faith. The Titanic was touted as an “unsinkable ship,” and the passengers had no reason to doubt that claim. It was an engineering wonder, and not one detail was overlooked in it’s design. It was like a floating hotel or city, and it was easy to put faith in the ingenuity of man. Men can do wonderful things, indeed, but our complete faith must be in God alone.
3. Live every day as if it were the last. Enjoy your family, express your love, focus on what’s important. Even the most wonderful celebrations can turn to heartache when we least expect it.
4. Don’t wait to explain what a relationship with Christ is all about. Children learn about a relationship with Jesus Christ by what they see in our lives, but they also learn by what they hear from our mouths. You can begin training your children even when they are small by reading them Bible stories, explaining about sin and sharing God’s great plan to save the world through the death and resurrection of His Son. Not only will children know the truth and be able to choose to except Jesus Christ for themselves, they also can share the good news with others in need.
5. Do the right thing no matter what others think. When the first passengers got into the lifeboats others on the decks made fun of them. Some thought they were foolish for risking their lives by going down into the cold dark water. Those who climbed into the lifeboats had to turn their back on what others believed, and instead focus on what they felt was right. There are times as parents when we must do the same. If we make a choice to work for a ministry, to adopt another child, to homeschool, or make another hard decision, there may be others who think we are making a foolish mistake. Each of us must follow the direction of God—the Captain of our lives—to direct us. He is with us during the journey, and unlike any human captain God knows what’s ahead and what is best for our families…our lives.
Amelia Gladstone’s hopes are tied up in the Titanic–hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.
Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America–and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?
Wow. I am so buying this book. I just visited the Titanic museum in Branson. It was amazing! So many times we wonder what the world thinks about what we do instead of wondering what God thinks about what we do.
It’s a good time to change.