A Beach Day in December

We just got home from the beach and it's only three days after Christmas! Today was warm for December so we decided to take the opportunity and get some fresh air. It's the first place I've really gone since I got sick on Christmas. So it was nice to get out and soak up some sun. We took our Westie, Sugar, out to run free on the beach and she had so much fun! It was a great day!

I love going to the beach anytime of year because I feel close to God there. The waves remind me of HIS mighty power. The amazing expanse of the ocean reminds me God cannot be put into a box. And the constant movement of the waves fill me with a peace that no other place on earth offers.

While I was walking along the shore today, I remembered another special day I had on the beach many years ago--about 15 or so. Tim and I had just gone through another miscarriage and our hearts were crushed. The people where I worked at the time, Youth Guidance, felt badly for us and so they blessed us with several days away on the East End in Montauk. This is one of our favorite places but I wasn't sure if we could find any "sunshine" for our souls--- even there.

Depression reigned in our hearts as we arrived at our hotel there on the beach. We both went our separate ways as we prepared to deal with our sorrow in our own way. The ocean is the most healing place I know of on earth, so I was hopeful.

I decided to take a walk on the beach--maybe I would try to jog a little even though I was very much out of shape. I tried my best but I could only go a few feet without gasping for air. At that moment I felt such despair that I wanted to just give up on life. I felt so ugly and fat. I wanted to go in my hotel room and just cry. The ocean offered no comfort even though it was a beautiful day to be there.

But then, just as suddenly as my feeling of despair had come, it was as if the Lord, God of the Universe, spoke to me and asked me to praise HIM. I said out loud that I didn't feel like praising HIM. But HE didn't give up and asked me to do it anyway and that it would be a "sacrifice of Praise". I agreed that is exactly what it would be--a sacrifice!

I thought to myself --what could I possibly be thankful for? (which is sad that I even had that ridiculous thought). But then I said out loud but only as a whisper--"thank You, God, for the ocean"-- since it was right in front of me and that was all I could think of. And, I found, it wasn't that hard to say "thank you". So I continued, "thank You for the sun--and the birds--and the sand--and the shells (and I expounded) that are like treasures lying there for the taking." It was getting easier! "And God, thank You for making me----fat and all. Thank You for my body even though I have let it get so out of shape. And thank You for the fact that I can walk and move. Thank You for letting me be here and that I can see the beauty around me."

And on and on I went until I felt pretty good!

As a matter of fact, I felt so good that I felt like running. And I took off and ran and ran and ran! I ran so long that when I finally stopped, I was in an isolated part of the beach. I began to praise and worship the ONE WHO made the waves. I danced with the waves and shouted and exalted in HIM! I was out there for hours!

When I got back to the hotel, I was one of the happiest hotel guests in the place-- And one of the most sun burned! Tim was amazed at my transformation. So was I! And it lasted!

I came back to Huntington and started working out. I started eating right and got down to the size I was when I moved here. I felt great-- inside and out!

And I started believing God and what HE says in HIS Word. And I started to believe HE would give us a child. I found Scriptures that comforted me and strengthened my faith. And my faith grew.

We were going to a Fertility specialist at the time and we were supposed to have a procedure done. But for some reason, I knew we didn't need it. I had a peace that God was going to give us a child without medical "expertise".

Nine months later, I was proved to be right. My precious son, Luke, was born on February 17th and our lives have never been the same. He is a gift that Tim and I continue to cherish and we know, maybe more than most, that he is indeed a miracle!

When I go to the ocean, I am often reminded of that special day on the beach when it seemed all was lost. But nothing is lost when it's given to HIM. Things don't always turn out the way we want but HE always works it out for our good if we trust HIM!

May we remember WHO HE is in this coming year. HE is as real as the majestic, roaring ocean and all things are possible with HIM!

May 2008 be a year of HIS mighty hand in your life!
carolrtexas2@aol.com