Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BEACH (09/01/22)
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TITLE: Deep Waters | Previous Challenge Entry
By Laurie Bahlke
09/07/22 -
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On this day, the beach is quiet, and I feel the warmth of not only the sun but the warmth of a day that is full of wonder and gratitude. A woman comes and stands alongside me. She is quiet and there is no greeting. I break the silence and say aloud, “What a beautiful day God has created.” She replies, “Does that really help you, the God thing?” I am caught off guard, surprised by the hostility in her tone of voice. “It does,” I say. “Today, yesterday, and into tomorrow.” “Well...good for you.” Although I thought she would turn and leave, she stayed beside me. We remain there, paused in silence.
“Have you ever found a Petoskey stone?” I ask. Her voice has softened, “No, not yet. I’ve been looking this whole trip. I know I could buy one at a shop, but I would love to find one here on the beach.” I reach to the blanket beside me and take hold of the smooth, light gray stone that when wet, shows the unique pattern that makes it a Petoskey stone, only found along the shores of Lake Michigan. I reach out to her and open my palm, “I found one this morning and I have many of them at home. Would you like this one?” She glances at the rock and her eyes light up, “Really?” “Yes, it’s yours if you want it.” She reaches down and accepts the stone. Her hands curl around it and then she moves to the lake’s edge, where she lets the water wash over it, the pattern of the stone revealed. I hear her laugh. She walks back towards me. “Thank you,” she says. I nod my head and smile, “You’re welcome.” She then walks away.
I stare out at the lake and wish that I had the gift of moving from the shoreline and into deep waters; the deep waters of action and
bearing witness. There are those who bravely go into the deep waters of life and advocate passionately for what they believe in. I admire those who work tirelessly to stop human slavery and trafficking, end child abuse, fight for the lives of the unborn and to protect our elderly, those who work with addiction and mental health, and the list could go on.
In bravery, they let their voices be heard loudly. They travel to places far away where resources are often scarce, to rescue the vulnerable from terrible situations and to spread the message of a heavenly Father who loves and forgives.
I wonder if I should have said more to the woman.
Perhaps, I should have quoted scripture or engaged her in a conversation that questioned her feelings and why she seemed so upset by my comment on the day and the reference to God. I didn’t go into the deep water but stayed on the shoreline. How silly of me, I think, to have done so little.
On my way home that day, I stop at a convenience store for a fountain pop and twenty dollars of gas for my car. Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I am surprised to see the woman from the beach. “This is the lady who gave me the stone.” A man, that I presume to be her spouse stands beside her and smiles at me. He reaches out to touch my hand, “Thank you. You made a difference. God bless you.” The couple turns to leave, and she waves goodbye.
I pull into a turnout and look upon Lake Michigan once last time before I get on the highway. I consider that God places me, each of us, where we need to be at any given moment. Whether in deep waters or on the beach, there is much to do, and as 1 Peter 3:15(NIV) reminds me, the message of hope can be shared in all moments “with gentleness and respect.”
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