Last weekend I had the privilege of walking on a long, sunny beach. For this Minnesota girl, feeling sand between my toes in February was nothing short of miraculous. The sand was covered with thousands of shells and I couldn’t wait to start collecting—hunting for treasures and dodging foaming waves.
As I watched an endless progression of waves sweep in to deposit scallops and conchs, I realized that every day I walked on this beach there would be new possibilities. New colors or shapes or designs to discover. If I trudged with my head down determined to find one particular kind of shell, I could spend a wasted day and return feeling I’d failed. But if I waited to see what new blessings scattered onto the shore, something new and special would find me.
Lord, each day you bring me new treasures in all shapes and sizes. Give me patience to let the waves carry those blessings in. Give me openness to see the variety before me. Give me gratitude for your creativity and abounding goodness. Each day, let me collect your gifts of unexpected encounters, precious relationships, challenges to face, beauty to enjoy. And on those days where the beach of my life looks empty, let me enjoy the feeling of sand between my toes while I wait for the next wave. Amen.
3 comments:
Glad you got a chance to see the beach! I'm so bummed we didn't get a chance to go last year.
Camy
Ah, wet sand between the toes! This desert girl loves that feeling, too. And I love the metaphor of the shells as blessings borne to us on waves of grace.
Just ran across your post about the beach, Sharon. Love it! I've been a beach lover for about forever, but never tire of it. Never. Nothing I'd rather do than walk the sand while talking (and listening) to our Father. So glad you had the opportunity to do that recently. May He give you similar opps at home!
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