I am blessed to say I live by the beach. I’m even more fortunate enough to say that my job is about 5 minutes walking distance from the beach. Some of you may know from two blogs ago that I became an Instructional Assistant at a preschool in my town. I wasn’t sure if this was something God wanted for me, however since being at the school, I have felt that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. But besides my children being some of the greatest blessings, God gave me an awesome location for a lunch break! He’s pretty cool like that.
Today it finally felt like Spring…actually more like Summer. Hot. Just the way I like it. I couldn’t wait to make my way down to the water. Not to jump in. Just to see it. Now, I am a bona fide shore girl with a Jersey accent (minus the Snooki hairstyle and spray tan). I love everything about the beach. It’s my place of peace and serenity. And what’s even cooler is I see a glimpse of my sweet Papa (God) when I’m there. Vast, beautiful, serene. I can smell the ocean breeze as I write this.
I walked on what felt like a half a mile of sand just to get close to the beach. The sand was hot! So I raced rather “elegantly” as I got closer to the water. After nearly burning the bottoms of my toes, I found a spot. Not so far from the water, but close enough that I could feel it gently spray my toes. I just gazed at the ocean. I was entranced by it. I couldn’t help but notice the curves of my face were perked up.
I was smiling. I was happy. I was content.
I knew this massive body of water could swallow me up, and if a tsunami were to hit … well, I would’ve been done for. However, I was in my glory! I couldn’t help but think how amazing God is. Oh Papa you’re really good! That he would create just even this moment, on my 30-minute break to enrapture me with his creation. That’s what I was. Raptured in his love.
Then I thought…
“This time last year, I was in Sri Lanka, journaling on the beach, looking out across the sea.” It’s true. I even blogged about it. And as I was in Sri Lanka, I was sitting a couple feet from a jetty. The scene was quite familiar. The water was rather docile so there was no crashing or roaring of the waves, but I remembered the ones from Sri Lanka. They were massive, yet amazing. Loud, yet harmonious. Terrifying, yet beautiful, all at the same time. I remember that I was digging my feet deep in the sand just as I was doing today. Last year I was a crying out to God in front of the ocean, asking him to calm my heart. Today, I was resting in the Lord’s presence. I fixed my gaze on a jetty. It looked similar to the one I saw in Sri Lanka. I stared and then began to gently smirk at it.
It’s funny earlier this morning, during my quiet time, I read this verse:
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)
(Side note* Check out my blog “Standing on the Rock” )
The Rock is Christ. Yes, it’s Jesus! Where our foundation and our faith rest on. Not in our strengths, or in our efforts or in our good works, solely in Christ are we firmly planted in truth, grace and love. Because he IS truth, grace and love.
Once more, God spoke to me as he did last year. He reminded me that I was standing on The Rock again… and in fact THE ROCK was inside of me. Ok, so I wasn’t actually standing on the jetty. I was a couple feet from it. However, as immovable as that jetty is, so is Jesus.
This doesn’t mean waves won’t come. Oh, they’ll come! But over the crashing waves, The Rock still stands. Unshaken. Unmoved. Even when I am weak in my spirit. Even when I am confounded by the unpleasant surprises life throws at me, or even when I am crippled by doubt and fear… he reminds me that he remains constant. He is my constant in an ever shaking and movable world. In a year’s span, He has proven that he does not and will not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
No other moment epitomized the words “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Timothy 6:6) I felt much gain in my spirit as I sat there completely astounded by the glory of my Papa. My heart was delighted to be in his presence. I wish I could’ve stayed there forever, but I had to hurry back to the kiddies.
How awesome is God, that he is not inconvenienced by us? We are not a burden to him. Oh, how quick is he to remind us of the lessons he’s taught us? God is ever convincing in the way he pursues. He’ll use a beach, a jetty, a person, or a memory to get you to fix your eyes on Him – the lover of our souls.
Although the race is done, God has carved out a new path for me and I’m walking. This is MY race.
To be honest, sometimes I feel like I’m crawling but he’s right next to me, knees on the pavement, dripping with sweat and tears as he crawls alongside me. Then, there are other days where I feel like I could run and never stop! He’s also there. He tells me to slow down, to pace myself, and to not compare my race with others. He asks me to simply enjoy the journey. To just walk. Hand in hand. With my precious Father. Papa God.
God is up to some pretty cool things! I am looking forward to what he has for me. I could think about what it would be like this time next year, but I just want to enjoy this part of the journey with him.
I am praying about starting my own blog. This has been pressing on my heart since I was preparing for the race. So if you could also be praying for me in that.
Praise report: I GOT A CAR!!! And she’s perfect. Her name is Charlie and she is everything I prayed for in a car (yes, I’m corny I know). I’ll also be heading out to Cuba in July for a week mission trip, and I am FULLY FUNDED! If you could be praying for me that the Lord would use our team mightily that week.
Thank you so much for all of you who have supported me through giving and through fervently praying. You guys are amazing! I am forever grateful for you! My goodness, God has been so faithful! I love you all so much!
