WHAT JESUS DID AT THE BEACH

(Who writes a beach blog in December? I do, because that’s where I was recently.)

It is my second morning on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I lay on my bed in the semi-darkness of dawn, peering intently at a nickel-sized black spot on my sheet. It isn’t moving but it doesn’t look alive, thank God. I think it may be a coin but I’m afraid to touch it. Yesterday I touched some things on the beach only to find they were squishy, so I’m gun-shy. Using several layers of bedsheet I tap it to see if it’s hard, and it is, at which point I pick it up. It is a piece of a shell, tumbled smooth by sand and waves. 

Even as I look at it in delight I’m wondering, how did this shell get in bed with me? Yet however it got here, I know who is responsible for the gift!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that if you’re looking for God, you’ll see miracles. You’ll find gifts from him and see him moving in every aspect of your life. The key is to expect it and watch for it.

My generous and thoughtful friends invited me to go with them to the beach a few weeks ago, but the months before we left were fraught with difficulties. I haven’t been sick in years but I got a sinus infection. My friend’s husband died. We had house guests, and the cable company forced everyone to change to digital, wrecking havoc as my mom relearned new remotes and methods.

Arranging help for my mom wasn’t easy. Thankfully my two brothers used that time as an opportunity to come from North Carolina and Oregon and get in a visit. Two weeks before we left Hurricane Michael hit our rental on the Florida coast, causing us to scramble to find a place that hadn’t been devastated. Our hearts went out to those who suffered loss.

Then, the week before I left, my youngest son Chris was in a serious car accident, but thankfully he escaped with only staples and stitches.

By the time we left I was more than ready!

I spent much of my time walking the beach, some days twice before breakfast. Even though I love my routines and “rules” I tried to hold them loosely. When I wondered what time it was I wouldn’t pull out my phone and check, and yes, I took my phone with me. I would also go down to the shore before I’d even done my face and hair, just pulling on my clothes and heading out, which is something I’d normally never do.

Jesus was full of surprises and the shell in my bed was only the first. One afternoon I was standing and watching the waves as I unloaded my heavy heart on him. Looking down I saw a small, heart-shaped shell at my feet, and I felt his love and care wash over me.

While I enjoy looking for sea glass there isn’t much opportunity in Kentucky so my friends purposely found a place known for having sea glass. Maybe it was the time of the year but that was the cleanest beach, pristine, with little in the way of shells, rocks, or any debris at all. It didn’t matter though; I was having a wonderful time.

By the last day I’d given up on finding any and I was treasuring the bits of shells I’d found for my granddaughters. Around eleven o’clock I walked down to the beach and noticed a small area where the waves were washing some small gravel and pieces of broken shells onto the sand. There lay a piece of sea glass! It had originally been clear but was tumbled so it looked frosted, and a bit later I found a small piece of green glass. After lunch I headed out for more hunting but all was back to clean and pure, nothing was left of the wash-up. I know that Jesus spoke to the waves to wash it up for me and I was beyond excited!

There were other moments with Jesus, too many to share here, as we walked and talked and laughed. Sometimes we just stood together and watched the waves, or the sunrise. I arrived home with a full heart.

However, here’s the thing—we don’t have to be at the beach to see all the gifts and surprises and love poured out on us by Jesus—he’s loving on us all the time! We’re just not used to seeing with our spiritual eyes, we stay distracted by the physical. Expect his presence to impact you. Look for his hand in your favor. Keep your eyes focused on him. Be listening with your spirit. Let him carry your heart. He’s so thoughtful and fun and he loves to enjoy you and to know you enjoy him.

Just you wait and see what he’s got for you today!