Oceanfront

We knew a day at the beach was unrealistic with our crew. We also knew, being so close to the ocean, we still had to go see it. So after breakfast one day, we loaded up in our rental van and drove down for a morning walk.

I wish I could have videoed our entire morning just to give you a glimpse into how much the Lord encouraged my heart, but that would have been very long and honestly pretty boring; so I will try to take it person by person to capture it for you.

Trey had been to the ocean before but would have no memory of it. We had walked ahead of Brock who was paying for parking. As I led Trey to the shore, holding his hand, he stopped and said, “woah.” As he continued to stare every now and then he would say it again, “woah.” As Brock approached us I looked at him and said, “It can even command a two-year-old’s attention.”

My idea of a walk turned into standing with Trey the majority of the time as all he wanted to do was stand and stare at the ocean. Watching the massive body of water come crashing towards him as the waves formed and flooded into his little toes standing just on the edge of the waterline. Occasionally jumping into the water as it would encompass around him.

It made me think of our first encounter with the Lord. We are stunned, amazed, and in awe. We see him in his vastness. How could a perfect and loving God suffer immensely just to offer me life eternal with him? How could someone so holy love me despite what I have done and will do? It’s the, “woah” moment for us. Being able to just stand in the amazement of our great and mighty God. Being totally satisfied by Him and starting to experience the relationship with Him as he begins to encompass your life.

“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:5

Casen went running straight to the water as we approached the ocean. As he would run full force to the rolling waves, he would swiftly turn just before getting soaked and then do it again. The best part, there was a smile on his face and squealing from his mouth. Being our serious one, this brought me so much joy. Seeing the carefree side of him come out. Darting from the ocean and then to the highest part of the beach. Plopping himself in the sand as he would throw it in the air or dig down deep into it.

It made me think of the joy we develop as we begin to have a deeper relationship with the Lord. We realize how much more he has to offer us than just the initial captivation. His love is wider, higher and longer than we can fathom. Much like Casen did when he was at the beach wanting to experience all it had to offer him, thats what the Lord wants for us in relationship with him; there are no limits to it.

“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name.” Jeremiah 31:35

We had sacrificed the twins morning nap time to be able to go to the beach that morning which is always a gamble. But we had our trusty Ergo’s with us and I figured if all else failed and they decided not to nap they would at least be soothed by the sound of the ocean. Well, the twins fell asleep just minutes after being there. They were toasty warm next to us (while Brock and I were drenched in sweat), comforted to sleep by the sounds of the ocean and the movement of walking.

A very dear friend gave me a sign shortly after they were born that says, “My soul finds rest in God alone” Psalm 62:1. How true that is. He is our source of peace. Our comfort in the storm. The only one capable of walking through whatever it is we are surrounded with. Our provider for all things. He is our strength when we feel there is nothing left to give and our hope when we feel in a no-win situation. Because of Jesus, we can rest in God alone.

“And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 8:27

Brock pulled the wagon while wearing Ayden. Fitting for the weight of life he normally feels. I truly do not know how he manages to be the loving husband and best dad that he is, while leading a church and preaching every week. It’s nothing short of the power of Christ in him but it is a weight, even as his wife, I will never be able to understand.

As we got back to the condo that morning He looked at me and said, “I’d like to go back one night after the kids go to bed or one morning during the twins naps if that’d be okay.” I knew while we were there and as I watched him, that he would want to come back to just sit and be with the Lord one on one.

How true is that for our walks with the Lord? He calls us back. We start drifting and then once we give whatever it is we are facing to the Lord again and see him face to face we don’t want to leave Him. It’s the sanctification of the relationship. He meets us right where we are. It’s the bleeding out process to make less of us and more of him in our life. And when we experience that, we long to have more and more of that time.

“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” Psalm 89:9

The beach is my happy place. I love the sun. I love the smell of the air. I love the birds chirping. I love the grit of the sand under my feet until you reach the shore and then the smoothness of the waterline. I love the varying sounds as you listen to the water. Not much changes and yet it brings a refreshing familiarity to myself. Naturally being someone who doesn’t sit still during the day, Brock finds it so interesting that once on the beach, sitting or walking is all I do. It’s constant and I appreciate that.

Jesus is constant. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never leaves us. He provides such a solid foundation for us to trust in, rely on, and be confident in. He tells us to be still before him and to acknowledge He is God. He tells Martha that Mary has chosen what was better when she sat at his feet. Being with Jesus, having no agenda, and just allowing Him time to speak into your life is good for all of our souls.

Just as our trips to the beach are seldom but cherished so is that intentional, quiet, and uninterrupted time with the Lord. It’s convicting when you finally get it to realize how “busy” we make our lives and how often we actually think we are in control of it. That time with the Lord refocuses you and deepens your dependency on Him in a much needed way.

After that trip to the beach, I’m even more certain there will not be another place on earth that can compete for my love of the ocean. And as I think of all my Savior, Jesus Christ, has to offer me with Easter just one day away, I am so very thankful for the relationship I have with him. He has graciously given such good things here on this earth, and has ultimately provided the best thing; the assured hope of eternity in his presence.