We all come to the beach looking for something. Whether it's the balmy air we long to breath, the smell of the salt in the air, or perhaps simply to hear something louder than our own thoughts.
Maybe we're looking for answers.
Perhaps we're wanting to hear from the One who causes the waves to crash, but never completely overwhelm the shore.
We want something.
Maybe peace?
To look and see something, witness something that marvels us. Something we don't mind not being able to figure out.
The ocean is big and powerful. If we let it, it would overwhelm us. We could get lost in it.
Some do.
We come with the weight of the world, the burden of our emotions and heaviness of our thoughts.
The ocean demands nothing of us.
If anything at all, it beckons us to be free. As it is.
Perhaps it looks to carry. On its proud mighty waves. Maybe it could take all that weighs us down.
For we see itself has many emotions.
Some seek clarity.
Hoping the crashing of the waves will the soundtrack to which our minds need.
Perhaps the salt air, the sandy beach, and crashing waves will put our thoughts in order.
Or at least for a few precious moments grant us refuge from them.
Whatever the reason we venture to its shore, it never ceases to welcome you.
The waves will never turn you away.
Their voice will drown out your tears, you can cry without a thought, no one will scold the reason or make a fuss.
You can yell out in anger, the crashing of the white foam will sympathize and punctuate your words.
If you come with joy and love, the water will be happy to simply lap around your feet.
Yes, we come to the beach for many reasons, seeking many things.
When we leave, for the most part, we feel listened to. Somehow, some way. Even if we never say a word aloud. Whether its tears, anger, quiet sorrow, yes we are heard.
We walk away head a little higher. Problems still there, but we saw something bigger than us, stronger than us, and we are reminded we are not alone.
For a moment the world was, maybe not better, but we had a moment to get away.
And whether we all know it or not.
Whether we all know His name or not, everyone walks away having seen God.
This morning I woke up early, which was with great effort.
My loves, I am not a morning person. At all. But today I made the sacrifice. And oh, the reward. There was a gorgeous sunrise as I drove to the beach. It was the kind where the sun is big, and almost red. Coloring the skies in orange, pink and reds. Where you can almost look straight at the sun, and you're very tempted to.
I met lovely people.
But I did go with a purpose. I had questions troubling my mind, I had thoughts weighing on my soul and I needed to hear from the Lord. I went seeking peace and a moment to be still and know He is God.
Through this there was a special lady I noticed. She came, dressed in jeans, backpack on, Starbucks cup in hand. She looked like she was coming for a reason. Maybe to have peace, make a decision, calm her thoughts.
She sat down, looking as though the weight on her shoulders was going to break her. Maybe even cause the bench to collapse under the heaviness.
She sat there for a whlie. Staring at the ocean, putting her face in her hands. Wrestling wtih something.
My heart went out to her.
I wanted to go over and sit with her. Maybe not even say anything. Just put my hand on her shoulder and let her know-there was someone there. I too was here for a purpose. I was here because I needed something.
I wanted her to know, she was not alone.
We all long to know that. I wanted her to know I cared.
Because I do. I wanted to ask her what was going on, be an ear to listen. Maybe hear things no one else will. I wanted to pray over her, say the words aloud over her.
I wonder if she knows, I hope to high heaven she somehow did...that I saw, I noticed, and she was prayed for.
Maybe we're looking for answers.
Perhaps we're wanting to hear from the One who causes the waves to crash, but never completely overwhelm the shore.
We want something.
Maybe peace?
To look and see something, witness something that marvels us. Something we don't mind not being able to figure out.
The ocean is big and powerful. If we let it, it would overwhelm us. We could get lost in it.
Some do.
We come with the weight of the world, the burden of our emotions and heaviness of our thoughts.
The ocean demands nothing of us.
If anything at all, it beckons us to be free. As it is.
Perhaps it looks to carry. On its proud mighty waves. Maybe it could take all that weighs us down.
For we see itself has many emotions.
Some seek clarity.
Hoping the crashing of the waves will the soundtrack to which our minds need.
Perhaps the salt air, the sandy beach, and crashing waves will put our thoughts in order.
Or at least for a few precious moments grant us refuge from them.
Whatever the reason we venture to its shore, it never ceases to welcome you.
The waves will never turn you away.
Their voice will drown out your tears, you can cry without a thought, no one will scold the reason or make a fuss.
You can yell out in anger, the crashing of the white foam will sympathize and punctuate your words.
If you come with joy and love, the water will be happy to simply lap around your feet.
Yes, we come to the beach for many reasons, seeking many things.
When we leave, for the most part, we feel listened to. Somehow, some way. Even if we never say a word aloud. Whether its tears, anger, quiet sorrow, yes we are heard.
We walk away head a little higher. Problems still there, but we saw something bigger than us, stronger than us, and we are reminded we are not alone.
For a moment the world was, maybe not better, but we had a moment to get away.
And whether we all know it or not.
Whether we all know His name or not, everyone walks away having seen God.
This morning I woke up early, which was with great effort.
My loves, I am not a morning person. At all. But today I made the sacrifice. And oh, the reward. There was a gorgeous sunrise as I drove to the beach. It was the kind where the sun is big, and almost red. Coloring the skies in orange, pink and reds. Where you can almost look straight at the sun, and you're very tempted to.
I met lovely people.
But I did go with a purpose. I had questions troubling my mind, I had thoughts weighing on my soul and I needed to hear from the Lord. I went seeking peace and a moment to be still and know He is God.
Through this there was a special lady I noticed. She came, dressed in jeans, backpack on, Starbucks cup in hand. She looked like she was coming for a reason. Maybe to have peace, make a decision, calm her thoughts.
She sat down, looking as though the weight on her shoulders was going to break her. Maybe even cause the bench to collapse under the heaviness.
She sat there for a whlie. Staring at the ocean, putting her face in her hands. Wrestling wtih something.
My heart went out to her.
I wanted to go over and sit with her. Maybe not even say anything. Just put my hand on her shoulder and let her know-there was someone there. I too was here for a purpose. I was here because I needed something.
I wanted her to know, she was not alone.
We all long to know that. I wanted her to know I cared.
Because I do. I wanted to ask her what was going on, be an ear to listen. Maybe hear things no one else will. I wanted to pray over her, say the words aloud over her.
I wonder if she knows, I hope to high heaven she somehow did...that I saw, I noticed, and she was prayed for.