The message I have for you today comes from an encounter I had about a year ago. It happened to be my first official action as an ACS Chaplain in the Coast Guard. It was the privilege of assisting with a burial at sea.
Now, for some of you that may seem a strange function to perform aboard a ship, but burial at sea is a very common and long standing tradition across cultural divides. Within the military it comes from the tradition of sailors who were killed in battle having their remains committed to the sea due to the inability of transporting them back to land. The tradition also continues within naval and nautical tradition that persons can have their ashes committed to the sea if they have served in the Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Merchant Marines or Coast Guard Auxiliary. It was this latter type of service with which I was asked to participate.
Lieutenant Justin of the Naval Chaplain Corps, who also serves as the Coast Guard Chaplain for the entire state of Texas, asked me if I would like to attend. He said it would be good practice for me and “on the job training.” I informed him that I would love to assist him in any way but I didn’t have all my uniforms yet. He told me it wouldn’t be a problem for me to just wear a suit and clerical collar (a fancy name for the white collar you sometimes see a pastor wearing).
I arrived at the dock on base in Galveston at 8:30am, it was an overcast day with grey clouds on the horizon and what looked like possible rain in the distance. The Coast Guard patrol boats were shoving off from the docks and I waved to several of the crews as they made their way out into the harbor and bay. The two men we were honoring today were longtime friends, almost brothers, who had passed away within a short time of each other. They had been heavily involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and had achieved high rank in the organization. The families of the two men arrived as well as other Auxiliarists who gathered on the dock. Justin arrived and walked me through the order of service and I was surprised that he had me assisting in almost half the ceremony. I thanked him for the opportunity but also felt nervous knowing I had never done something like this before.
The Chief of our boat, the USCGC Alligator, came onto the dock and welcomed us aboard. I was fascinated by the ingenuity of such a small craft, and yet had all the necessities of life saving, and comfort for the crew of 12. The lines were cast off and the smell of diesel fumes and sputtering smoke drifted up to the stern of the cutter as the engines came to life. The crew moved as a well oiled machine as the ship made its way from the moorings to the harbor. Once we exited the harbor though, the motors roared and the ship took off towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Over the next 45 minutes I was talking with Justin and members of the family, as well as nosing my way around the ship and observing our progress from the bridge. I made my way to the bow and braced against the bulkhead as the wind cut through the front of the ship as we continued to roar our way out into open waters. Cargo ships of all kinds lined the way, waiting to be guided into the Port of Galveston. It was a freeing experience, even if I was trying to keep my balance the whole time.
Eventually the engines slowed as we came to the designated stop to perform the ceremony. The Chief cut the engines and the family, crew and guests made their way to the bow and Justin began the services. These two men were honored together as shipmates and their families shared both their grief and their love with one another. It was a touching moment. The guests shared how special the two men were to all gathered, and over and over the friendship of these beloved Saints was acknowledged. At the reading of the final committal both the wives and families made their way to the railing with the ashes in hand. At that moment the sun appeared through the clouds and covered the deck with radiant light and the water sparkled up as if diamonds were floating on the surface. With soft cries and subtle tears the remains were committed. And we made our way to the stern to prepare for the return back to the dock.
You know, how often do we as Christians forget in the amazing ways God will turn up in these grief stricken situations. When we think we have reached the end of our endurance, or have sunken to our lowest point, God shows up and reminds us that in him, there is always hope and joy!
Well my friends, what happened next will absolutely astound you. Before the Cutter gunned it’s engines to make its way back to the dock we witnessed something I will never forget. At the exact spot we had committed the ashes, two dolphins, side by side, breached the water four times and swam around the boat! Now, I know what some of you are thinking, it’s the ocean Pastor Mike, there are going to be dolphins. But you can’t tell me that two dolphins, at that spot, at that time, at that ship, in those circumstances isn’t just a little of the handiwork of our creator! Afterall, even the winds and the waves obey Jesus.
As Justin and I watched the dolphins swim around the ship and the families marvel at the site, I leaned in and said, “don’t you love when God shows off like that.” We both laughed, but the truth is that in that moment those two animals, who probably had no idea what they were being gawked at for from the shipload of humans, were used by God to bring comfort to grieving families. It reminds us that God can use all manners of his creation to bring about joy, comfort, and glory. We can be a part of that handiwork if we allow him to use us, guide us, and above all minister to us.
So my friends, I leave you with this tale of the sea, as a reminder that God shows up in all things in the strangest of ways. And yet, we are his creation, as is everything upon this globe and within the universe. So maybe it’s not so crazy an idea that he would use his creation to instill some grace and love into broken people’s hearts. He obviously hasn’t given up on us yet. Otherwise he would never have sent his son Jesus to save us.
Fair weather and smooth sailing brothers and sisters!
Your nautical meandering minister.
Pastor Mike McVey
First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ASC Chaplain – United States Coast Guard
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service
(P.S. If you would like to contact or receive Pastor Mike’s weekly newsletter simply email him at pastormike@fumcfairfield.org)
