Seashell Searches:
Years ago, I had the privilege of walking on a long, sunny beach in February. For this Minnesota girl, feeling sand between my toes in the winter was nothing short of miraculous. The sand was covered with thousands of seashells and I couldn’t wait to start collecting—hunting for treasures and dodging foaming waves.
As I watched an endless progression of waves sweep in to deposit scallops and conchs, I realized that every day I walked on this beach there would be new possibilities. New colors or shapes or designs to discover. If I trudged with my head down determined to find one particular kind of seashell, I could spend a wasted day and return feeling I’d failed. But if I waited to see what new blessings scattered onto the shore, something new and special would find me.
Lord, each day you bring me new treasures in all shapes and sizes. Give me patience to let the waves carry those blessings in. Give me openness to see the variety before me. Give me gratitude for your creativity and abounding goodness. Each day, let me collect your gifts of unexpected encounters, precious relationships, challenges to face, beauty to enjoy. And on those days where the beach of my life looks empty, let me enjoy the feeling of sand between my toes while I wait for the next wave. Amen.
What are some treasures God has sent your way recently? A phone call? A hug? A new insight? I’d love to hear about some of the blessings you’ve discovered recently!
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Thanks for sharing this latest insight! Isn’t it cool that today we get an extra day in the year (and month) that won’t come for another 4 years?!
Well, here in Southern New Hampshire, we’ve been getting some pretty strange weather lately. Today (as well as yesterday) feels like somewhere between late spring (early to mid-May), and early fall (mid-to-late September). And this is the end of February! Thankfully, though, we haven’t been getting the constant dumps of snow as last year! Interestingly enough, those continual major snowfalls of 2015 made for the most beautiful spring, with beauty and growth in abundance! Around the top edges of the porch, there were dozens of spiders, small and big, spinning great webs all around. They were so beautiful! (It’s fun to blow on a spider to see if it moves.) The lesson I learned (and am learning) is that sometimes you have to go through a lot of dormancy and cold, in order to experience the growth and beauty of life. But even in the cold and snow, there is still wonder and beauty! And if I lived in the tropics, I would never get to experience the wonder of a snowflake crystal, or the white draperies of snow and ice on the branches of the naked trees, against the backdrop of white and grey. Or how about the sun shining down on the street, above the trees, against a deep blue sky, on a glittering, sparkle day? Or the musty scent of decaying leaves, on a crisp, fall afternoon? Even as I wonder what it must be like to live in other places, I am so glad God saw fit to place me where I am.
Naomi, that’s BEAUTIFUL. You’ve really noticed the unique beauty in your specific location – rather than just focusing on the good things about other places. I’m not sure I can fully embrace the beauty of the spider webs (I have a t-shirt that reads, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself–and spiders.”) But you challenge me to see them with new eyes. As a Minnesotan, I agree with you about the treasures of changing seasons.
Thanks for sharing the “seashells” that have washed up on your beach today! Blessings!