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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BEACH (12/05/19)
Forget Frankie and Annette: for me, a visit to the beach doesn't mean bongo music, or bikinis and surfing.

As a child of the 60s, my classmates seemed obsessed with the lure of the beach as a place for fun in the sun. For me, the beauty of the beach always came before and after the crowds arrived and left.

For me, watching the waves of the beach always helps me feel closer to God.

When I was younger, my parents would beat the traffic by arriving early for our visits. My sisters would pout until the lifeguards arrived and they could plunge into the water; or until the sun was overhead and they could slather on coconut oil and bake in the sunlight.

But those few hours without the crowds were my favorites.
I would watch the waves; hypnotized by their rhythm. I don't know why I was so fascinated. My sisters called for me to build sandcastles or search with them for shells, but I remained transfixed by the pattern of those waves until the crowds slowly began to obscure my vision.

Now, after a lifetime of work and family obligations; I've retired to a cabin where I can watch those waves to my heart's content.
As I gaze at the irrevocable pulse of the ocean, I now see it as a metaphor of God's love for me: which will never end or lose its power. I marvel at how irregular its pattern can be; just like the events of my life. As the waves crest, I look back on the difficult times of my life and remember how God's grace and strength would always rise up to completely meet my every need.

I often sit on my porch for hours. I speak to the waves as if I were speaking to God. I shout my praise during its crests; whisper my prayers as it wanes. No matter what time it is, the ocean is always there to remind me of His omnipresence.

I live alone here. My life for years was all about pleasing the people at work or my husband and children. Every week of my working life, I promised myself someday I'd live in a cabin like this: to be able to wrap myself in God's presence as I watch His watery creation spell out His Love letter to me.

I go into town when I need groceries or supplies. There are people there who look friendly. I suppose I could reach out and make new friends or find new interests, but I have all I need in my cabin overlooking the surf.

But, this morning, as I watched, a little spaniel ran onto my waterfront. It was full of exuberant joy as it plunged its paws into the silky sand. I didn't mind that it was interrupting my view. A few minutes into her run, a tall teenage girl and a younger boy sprinted after the dog. "Molly!" I heard the girl call out. "Molly, come here!" The little dog hesitated, and finally backtracked toward them. As the dog reached them, they enveloped her in a hug. As the trio met, a wave crested beautifully over them: as if God were framing the picture of their love for me to see. After that wave, the siblings and their pet headed back toward wherever they were staying.

Somewhat reluctantly, I admitted they'd been part of God's message for me this morning. Just as the waves rise and fall to remind me of the ways His love had changed throughout my life, they now reminded me of the many times He'd used my family and friends as the Instrument of His Love and grace - when I had needed it most.

Was this His way of reminding me that part of receiving His Love meant I was again responsible for giving it out to others?

Into my mind came a sign I'd seen at the local store: a group that held morning worship services a mile or so down the beach. I gathered up my shoes and keys and went to find out who God meant for me to share His love with, today.

My view of His untiring love-waves will be here to replenish me when I get back home.

*********************************************
isaiah 58:11 "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You
will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
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This article has been read 124 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenny Fulton 
12/12/19
Beautiful picture of a peaceful life. I love how receptive you are to God's leading.
Barbara Lynn Culler 
12/12/19
Beautifully written.
Bonnie Bowden 
12/13/19
I'm glad you're embracing your new life and are open to God's will in it.
Dennis Gallemore 
12/14/19
Beautiful story.
Loni Bowden-Horn
12/19/19
Donna,

Congratulations on your EC Award.

This is a beautiful illustration of God's love for us stretches like the waves of the beach.

I could identify with the peace at the beach when others are not around.

This piece touched my heart.