Lessons from the beach

So we returned from a wonderful trip to the beach one week ago. The boys had the time of their lives. They were loving every minute of swimming, boogie boarding, digging in the sand, searching for sand creatures, and even playing with their pretend "hermit crab island" in the house when it was raining outside. Tom & I enjoyed the time to "just be" together, rather undistracted, and to enjoy God's creation and our family. And of course, while there, I pondered a few lessons I think God was teaching me (or reminding me of) along the way...

• Being thankful is a choice. Going to the grocery store while everyone else in the family puts their toes in the sand on the first beautiful evening is not the most fun, and neither is sitting in a house for hours without power, waiting to see if all the food we just bought for the week is about to spoil. But even in a grumbly state, I can pray, and I can see a mighty God change my heart and turn it toward the light, to see the bessing in the sunset as I drive over the bridge or the peace in the quiet stillness that exists during naptime in a house without power. He is good, and He always provides a way of gratitude, if I let him.

 

• There is beauty in the ordinary. Being away from home brings a simpler environment (usually). Less demands, Less distraction. More quality time. As we filled our days with running in the waves, building sand creations, catching fish, reading and taking naps, it reminded me to breathe. It made me wonder why or how I can spend so much energy feeling overwhelmed or frazzled when we're at home. Really, what do I have to worry about? "Do not be anxious...for your heavenly father cares for you, provides for you, protects you." (based on Matthew 6:25-32) I want the simple life, the ordinary life. To let peace rule in our home, NOT anxiety, worry, fear or frustration.

 

• I take my family for granted. The Lord has blessed me with this amazing family. My husband loves us with a passion. Our children are growing works in progress who are full of beauty, energy and joy. I want to treasure my moments with them. I want to put down the to-do list more and sit with them. I want to release the "mess" of my house and the disorder that looms, and be in their world more often. I realized when I ran & jumped in the ocean one day, the looks on my kids' faces showed that it seemed a bit out of character for mommy to have so much fun. They loved it! I want to enjoy them now. We are not guaranteed years, or even really days, but we have right now. The Lord has ordained this family for us to live and learn and laugh and love together--striving toward Him, and serving Him all the while. The days are sometimes hard, but they are treasures of God's weaving, that we can unlock together. I pray the Lord will help me see the treasure of my family more clearly and be able to enjoy them more fully.

 

• The waves may be bigger than us, but God is always bigger than the waves. This was a truth we talked about daily. This was really the first year that our kids really wanted to swim in the ocean. In past years they have been content in the little tidal pools, or just digging in the sand with the occasional jaunt down to fill up a bucket. We wanted them to respect the ocean, with its immense strength, yet not succumb in weakness or fear of what may happen, thinking that they are just creatures of chance who are not perfectly cared for by the God of the universe. We gave them (hopefully) wisdom about how far to go, and they wore their armor (life jackets), but ultimately they had to face it on their own. They had to test out the waters. Isn't that just like parenting? We have to equip them, train them, walk right beside them holding their hand for a while, and then ultimately let them go, trusting the Lord with them, by faith. Whatever they may face may seem bigger than them in a lot of ways, but God is always bigger and He is mighty to save.