Life Lessons At The Beach
We were at the beach earlier this summer – Myrtle Beach this time. The weather was hot and sunny, and we were playing in the surf, jumping waves, floating on the swells. My world was wonderful!
Now, I'm a person who gets seasick pretty easily (I always take two dramamine before a flight and I never ride roller coasters). We were armpit deep in the water, bobbing around when I started to get queasy, so I headed toward shore. The next thing I knew, a wave came up behind me and tumbled me under the surf. My sunglasses came off and I came up sputtering in knee-deep water. Each time I tried to stand, another wave would wash past and I couldn't get my footing. Instantly, I was frustrated, bordering on scared. I don't like not being in control … floundering around, unable to do something as simple as standing up.
Although I couldn't see it, Ed was coming toward me as fast as the waves would allow, and several people tried to find my sunglasses in the rolling water. An impossible task, as you can imagine. He gave me his hand and helped me to my feet, walked me to the beach, and gave me a wet hug. Sigh!
Much later, after my stomach settled and I'd calmed down, I was thinking about the incident and 'discovered' several life lessons taught by God through Mother Nature.
1. Enjoy the wonderful times of your life. You never know when they'll end. Savor your feelings of awe, love, goodness,wonder and joy as they come – like waves on the ocean. Your life is lived in the little things – beautiful sunsets, trees swaying in the wind, a child's hug, a cup of hot tea, an afternoon spent doing what you love. Cherish it …
No matter what happened later, that time spent playing in the ocean is something I'll always remember.
2. Pay attention. You never know when one of life's waves will knock you over. I forgot to watch the ocean – I was focused on the shore and got caught unaware. If I'd been ready, I could easily have jumped that swell and kept on going. It's important to know where you're headed. It's also important to watch out for distractions and take steps to avoid being knocked down.
3. Pray. I didn't know I was in trouble until it was too late, but I remember thinking as another wave washed around me, 'help me, Lord'. I thought He'd strengthen me so I could stand up on my own, but instead, He sent Ed to help me.
4. Reach for help when you need it. I could have said "no, I can do it myself", but seeing Ed standing there with his hands stretched toward me was instantly comforting. There are always folks around to help, to pick up the pieces or clean up the mess. Don't be too proud or stubborn to ask for assistance. You've got family, friends, church members and organizations that want to bless you with a helping hand – or whatever else you need. Then when you're on your feet, you can do the same for someone else.
5. Never believe the lie that you're alone. I couldn't see anything but the beach. I couldn't feel anything but the waves pushing at me, but all of a sudden someone was there. The Bible says that the things that 'overtake us' are common to man. We've all been downed by life's experiences. People understand where you are and they want to help. So does God.
6. Expect miracles. As I was sitting in the surf, buffetted by water and sand, I felt something brush my toes. I jerked, and grabbed my foot. My favorite sunglasses we caught between my toes! I was several feet from the place where I originally went under, but God managed to wash them toward me so I could find them. Amazing! My day was filled with wonder again.
No matter where you are or what's going on in your life, there are lessons to be learned, blessings to be enjoyed, and wonders to be experienced ... even at the beach. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Now, I'm a person who gets seasick pretty easily (I always take two dramamine before a flight and I never ride roller coasters). We were armpit deep in the water, bobbing around when I started to get queasy, so I headed toward shore. The next thing I knew, a wave came up behind me and tumbled me under the surf. My sunglasses came off and I came up sputtering in knee-deep water. Each time I tried to stand, another wave would wash past and I couldn't get my footing. Instantly, I was frustrated, bordering on scared. I don't like not being in control … floundering around, unable to do something as simple as standing up.
Although I couldn't see it, Ed was coming toward me as fast as the waves would allow, and several people tried to find my sunglasses in the rolling water. An impossible task, as you can imagine. He gave me his hand and helped me to my feet, walked me to the beach, and gave me a wet hug. Sigh!
Much later, after my stomach settled and I'd calmed down, I was thinking about the incident and 'discovered' several life lessons taught by God through Mother Nature.
1. Enjoy the wonderful times of your life. You never know when they'll end. Savor your feelings of awe, love, goodness,wonder and joy as they come – like waves on the ocean. Your life is lived in the little things – beautiful sunsets, trees swaying in the wind, a child's hug, a cup of hot tea, an afternoon spent doing what you love. Cherish it …
No matter what happened later, that time spent playing in the ocean is something I'll always remember.
2. Pay attention. You never know when one of life's waves will knock you over. I forgot to watch the ocean – I was focused on the shore and got caught unaware. If I'd been ready, I could easily have jumped that swell and kept on going. It's important to know where you're headed. It's also important to watch out for distractions and take steps to avoid being knocked down.
3. Pray. I didn't know I was in trouble until it was too late, but I remember thinking as another wave washed around me, 'help me, Lord'. I thought He'd strengthen me so I could stand up on my own, but instead, He sent Ed to help me.
4. Reach for help when you need it. I could have said "no, I can do it myself", but seeing Ed standing there with his hands stretched toward me was instantly comforting. There are always folks around to help, to pick up the pieces or clean up the mess. Don't be too proud or stubborn to ask for assistance. You've got family, friends, church members and organizations that want to bless you with a helping hand – or whatever else you need. Then when you're on your feet, you can do the same for someone else.
5. Never believe the lie that you're alone. I couldn't see anything but the beach. I couldn't feel anything but the waves pushing at me, but all of a sudden someone was there. The Bible says that the things that 'overtake us' are common to man. We've all been downed by life's experiences. People understand where you are and they want to help. So does God.
6. Expect miracles. As I was sitting in the surf, buffetted by water and sand, I felt something brush my toes. I jerked, and grabbed my foot. My favorite sunglasses we caught between my toes! I was several feet from the place where I originally went under, but God managed to wash them toward me so I could find them. Amazing! My day was filled with wonder again.
No matter where you are or what's going on in your life, there are lessons to be learned, blessings to be enjoyed, and wonders to be experienced ... even at the beach. Hope you have a wonderful day!
posted by Ed & Ruth at 12:26 PM
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