Hello Rebecca,
My apology is for suggesting that your father should find a job crab fishing in the Bering Sea. I remember catching the tail end of a Discovery Channel show about the most dangerous jobs in the world, and what they listed as the number one most dangerous job is what I chose to suggest. The truth is that I would feel terrible if he were to actually do it and end up getting seriously hurt or killed because of my suggestion. It is not my place to say what hardships are appropriate for him. God has his perfect plan for each of us.
Your father's idea of finding a more reasonable job at sea sounds like a good one. His enrollment in the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo is a step in the right direction, toward being more responsible in life.
Comments in this thread from 4 months ago are far more respectful and civil than in the older thread from a year earlier. This improvement in attitude came from his choice to be more responsible. His step toward responsibility may well be because of the ridicule in the earlier thread. Men are naturally competitive and sometimes need a sharp goading to get them going in the right direction. We are all waiting in anticipation for what Brent talked about, that he will remember all those he hurt, be honest about it and do what he can to make amends with them, at least in terms of attitude. Having the courage to do what is right will improve his reputation tremendously.
Psalm 107:23-30,43
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. ... Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Another apology that I owe to you and your family is that more than 20 years ago I was a coward and did nothing, when I could see from your mother's unhappiness that she was being mistreated, although I didn't know how badly.
Click the blue quote header to read about some things from more than 20 years ago:
Sincerely, Stephen
