Thoughts At The Beach (Copy)

“GOD called the dry ground land and the gatherrdnwatersnhe called seas. And Godmsaw that it was good.” Genesis 1:10

As the sun rises in the east, the sky is filled with the glory of God. A new day has begun - a day with potential. Our attitude and outlook determine the day. Life is different and not what we expected it to be. This is the day that God has made and to rejoice in it means a change of focus. We cannot change the past and what has happened. We can only strive to live into today.

The beach has brought reflections to my soul. I have watched the waves crash on the shore smoothing the sand. Some waves are stronger and come quickly, while others come more gently, but they still come. Life keeps coming no matter what the storm. Life does not stop even though the storm of loss and heartache has occurred. The waves are always a part of the ocean just as grief and loss are a part of life. We just learn to accept it as part of love and life. We accept that waves will always happen because of the wind and the tides. It is part of what makes the ocean and beach. So if we accept grief and loss as part of life, we learn to live in it and through it. I watched the little birds run frantically up and down the beach trying to avoid the waves while searching for food. They seemed to be in such a hurry. Sometimes as we try to find our way, we attempt to keep so busy rushing from one thing to another, hoping it will fill the emptiness of our hearts. Sometimes we just need to slow down and rest and give ourselves permission to grieve, to refocus and to change the direction of our lives. Sometimes we need to take care of ourselves and make ourselves a priority. As I walked the beach, I encountered people sitting in beach chairs, under umbrellas not aware of me at all. Others were walking and passed by me or were coming toward me. Still others, mostly children and parents, were playing at the shore line where I was walking. Many of the children said hello and smiled and we had a moment of connection at the beach. This reminded me of trying to find a connection in this different life. Some people just go back to their own lives and ignore your struggle. Some people move farther away from you not knowing what to do or say. Others see you, acknowledge your loss and try to hurry you through it so that they don't have to feel the reality and hurt of loss. But others in their childlike care, provide a smile and kind word and connect with you for a moment on the journey. The sunshine has warmed my body and soul. Just as God's Son, Jesus, walks with us on the journey filling us with His presence and connecting with us in our present moment. The Beach speaks of God's presence and beauty in the storms of life. God walks with us as we leave our footprints in the sand and in life. Trust as the waves move in you that God is with you in this day and moment. Look for thr beauty in the memories and in the life you now have. Live into this different life.