Archived Post – July, 2015 – Days ago I was sitting on the beach enjoying some quiet moments of family vacation. Jerry and William were playing in the water and I was sitting – watching – and recovering from being pummeled by a wave in which I almost lost my swimsuit bottoms – yep… That really happened. Luckily no one on the beach noticed (or at least acknowledged) the flash. (YIKES! Picture my red face of embarrassment!)
Aside from the humor, God has again revealed himself in the simplest of moments. I often pray to God, as God My Father and sometimes in watching Jerry interact with William, I realize why. William loves the waves. He loves the power of them and the excitement of overcoming them. He giggles and splashes at them, then runs from them before they can knock him over. His laughter fills my soul and has gotten me to thinking… Aren’t the waves just like life, though? From a distance they are beautiful to watch, from the beach they are playful, but when you go out a little too far, they become overwhelming! We giggle and laugh when we feel like we are in control. We try to run from them when they feel too powerful. But sometimes, a wave rolls in that is more powerful than the rest. It has more pull, more undercurrent, the cap is higher.
William isn’t always aware… but Jerry is. When the waves crash against him under Jerry’s watch, William is not overcome. Even if William stumbles, he is within Jerry’s reach. Jerry stands just slightly farther out. He watches him each second. The biggest waves hit Jerry first, so that William is slightly blocked without him even knowing it. When William wanders too far, Jerry reminds him to come closer.
That’s exactly how I am picturing God today – protecting me from the ocean of life – sometimes without my even knowing it. What would that wave have felt like if God had not protected me from the brunt of it? How deep would I have gotten without God’s gentle reminder to stay close? As I play and enjoy the beauty of the life God has given, Lord, help me to be mindful of your steadying hand.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24
Many Blessings, Bethany 🙂