What Does the Beach Have to Teach?

A couple of weekends ago, we got away for a quick beach vacation two states over from us.  We didn't do anything fancy or luxurious.  We mainly relaxed and enjoyed ourselves away from responsibilities of work as well as life's normal routines. Everyone needs to get away and recharge the batteries for a bit.

Simplicity.  We talk a lot about it back on our little farm, and we talked about it on vacation. Relaxation doesn't have to come with a huge price tag or an agenda full of activities.  To the contrary, all we needed was sand, sounds of the surf, shade from the sun, and a book or two.  The waves continually move forward, swelling...

And then they break, crashing on the shore with a resounding crash that can be heard all the way up to the balcony of our lodging.  Powerful, yet peaceful.

We walked along the beach and picked up a few seashells that were washed up.

Mostly, however, the power of the forces of the waves is displayed by the bits of pulverized shell that accumulate on the beach.

It is hard to look at the expanse of the sea and continuous wave action and ignore the indisputable fact that this bears the signature of the Creator.  In addition to relaxation, the beach has a lot to teach us if we take time to listen.  As Benjamin and I walked along the beach, viewing the waves rushing up on the beach before retreating back, I thought of the following verse:

Job 38:11  New King James Version (NKJV)

When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther,

And here your proud waves must stop!’

It also brought to mind a favorite song of mine by Nicole C. Mullen, entitled, "I Know My Redeemer Lives."  Here are the lyrics to that song:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well, I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

All of creation testifies

This life within me cries

I know my Redeemer lives, yeah

The very same God that spins things in orbit

Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak

And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken

They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame

And He lives forever, I'll proclaim

That the payment for my sin

Was the precious life He gave

But now He's alive and there's an empty grave

Relaxing, slowing down the pace, observing nature, gives us an opportunity to see His handiwork and reflect on verses of Scripture like Romans 1:20 that seem to come alive before our very eyes:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

I hope you had a great Lord's Day.

Beaches or Mountains?

For family vacations we usually choose between beaches and mountains.  We love them both.  There's no mountains anywhere near here and our beaches are, well, pretty much mud.  After several mountain vacations full of hiking and sightseeing, this year we chose a beach vacation.

We brought food from home, namely fresh eggs that our girls lay, and Tricia started our day with a delicious omelet stuffed with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and peppers!  My goodness, what a way to start a day off!  Look at how dark yellow those eggs are.  That tells you that the hens that laid them are out in the grass and not locked up in a cage.  It also tells you that the eggs are tasty AND healthy.

After a big breakfast, we set up the tent in the sugar white sand, put on sunscreen and relaxed.  All Day Long!  Oh every once in a while I would get up and wade out a hundred yards and float in the surf, dive for sand dollars, and ride waves.  I also read a couple of books.  It was relaxing and rejuvenating, to be sure.

Despite forecasts of rain, the rainfall stayed offshore and didn't really threaten us at all. While swimming out in the deep water, Benjamin and I saw a dolphin jump out of the water right near us.  Pretty cool.

The surf crashing on the shore is a very peaceful sound in my opinion.  We woke to the noise of the waves and could hear it all night long from our balcony.  The waves keep coming and coming...

On the morning of our last day there, Benjamin and I walked way down the beach as we dodged the encroaching waves.  I may post a few thoughts about this later on. Brown pelicans flew over us, seagulls ran to and fro and little crabs skittered across the sand.  It was quiet and beautiful.

And soon, it was time to go home.  The beach and our little farm couldn't be more different.  From looking at sand and not a blade of grass to looking at dirt and fields of grass.  Both are beautiful and peaceful in their own way.  As much as I love getting away, I always love coming back home!