Today Alice and I went for a walk along the beach. I’m so excited we have this opportunity all month! As we walked and talked we came across some little tide pools. At first we jumped and splashed in them like children, but then we discovered a fish in one of them. We stood and watched it for a long time. At first he was only resting, but then as the coming tide started to reach the pool he began frantically swimming in the direction of the waves. We found it fascinating that he didn’t just wait for the tide to fully come in. He didn’t realize that it was coming to him; he didn’t have to try to get to it. As we talked about it, mostly joking, we realized how like that fish we are. I realized how like that fish I am.
God, You have me in a small pool that you have created. For the most part I have been content here. Lately, though, I have been finding it harder to rest. The Race is coming to a close and there are things expected of me, by myself and others. The tide is coming slowly nearer, and a few of the waves have even reached my pool. I have suddenly become frantic. Not so much in a panic, but the excitement and pressure are making my little pool feel a bit more cramped than before.
What I need to realize is that while the tide coming in is inevitable I still have time. These little waves are not there to make me restless, but to refresh me and keep my little pool from becoming stagnant. You are reminding me that You are in control. I have spent my time in this pool trusting You and learning to rest and I will continue in that. Let the tide come in. It will only take me where You direct it. At this point I don’t know where that is. Perhaps it is out to sea or just another little pool. Either way is okay. As long as I am content in You I am fine. One day, maybe, I’ll make it out to sea, but only when You see that I am ready to completely trust You out there. What’s more, each little pool has its own beauty, just like the fish’s with its rivulets of seemingly liquid silver drawn all across the bottom. There is beauty in the pool I am in too, and I can learn to see and enjoy every silver stream.
