Lessons from the beach

Today, I took the kids to the beach for the day. We left early and got there (mainly to get a parking place) by 10:00. The ocean was nice, and the tide was on the way out, which meant we could park our stuff close and know it probably wouldn't get washed. Not used to having a toddler with me, I was a bit nervous when K. got closer and closer to the tide line. She liked playing in the shallow water, but being very unsteady on her feet, she had trouble keeping her balance. So, I went into the surf with her. As we stood there and she played I couldn't help but parallel our Christian walk with what was happening in the water. So, here are my thoughts...

• We often think we're on solid ground, but when there is an unexpected surge of water, the ground under us is literally washed away, and our steady footing is exchanged for an irregular surface that is constantly shifting. This can do several things. It makes us lose our balance. It can cover our feet so that when we move to take a step, we fall, or have to pry our feet from under the heavy sand. It can cause us to shift our position to what we perceive as more level ground. This works until the next surge comes along.



• Sometimes, we withstand the initial hit with no problem. Then, when the wave begins to rush out, it often pulls us so hard that we fall. Once down, we roll around at the mercy of the wave.



• If we're not constantly viligant, often things sneak up on us.



• I noticed that after a 'rolling', K. would hold tightly to both of my hands for a few moments. Then, as her confidence grew, she would let go with one hand and use it to dabble and swirl in the water. After a few minutes, she would not only let go of the other hand, she would push me away. We do this so often with God. Hard times comes, we cling tightly, then we let go and finally push him away, thinking we have it all in control. As we 'manage' without him, we let go of all stablizing forces, only to get knocked and rolled around again and start the whole cycle over.



• As the waves receeded, it would appear that you had to go further out to get to the water for the fun. Chasing the waves often left us in a place where, suddenly, we were in over what was safe. Instead of waiting for the water to come to us, K. would put herself in danger to be a part of the action. How often do we go chasing the instant gratification, only to find that it really isn't where we need to be?



• Playing in the water can be fun, but in an instant, it can become dangerous.

We had fun at the beach. We enjoyed each other's company, and basked in the beauty that God created. There were no stressors, no computer, no cell phone, no vacuum cleaners, dust, dirty dishes or piled up laundry. We ate what we wanted, when we wanted, and left when things were no longer to our satisfaction. All this, and some spiritual stuffs too....life doesn't get much better than this, does it?