Friday, September 1, 2017

When The Ocean Speaks

Hey Friend,

It's been a few very trying months, to say the least.  My husband and I have been looking forward to this week at the beach (The NC Outer Banks) all summer.  After hearing everyone's tales of summer adventures, we were anxious to embark upon ours, which had been delayed by my surgery recuperation.  

My husband and I are both early risers and so one of our favorite times has been to sit on the deck and watch the sun rise over the ocean.  This, to me, is one of the grandest displays there is.  I delight in watching the sun rise and spread its glorious tendrils as if in a heavenly morning stretch.  Glorious rays of light seem to stretch on to infinity.  

Even the waters seem to wake up and applaud with joy that a new morning has come.  The sun glistens like sparkling diamonds as they dance among the breakers.  The whole morning is aglow with God's new mercy, goodness and love.

                                                       
                                       
"Weeping may endure for a night - but joy will come in the morning. His anger endures for a moment - but in His favor is light."  (Psalm 30:5)

All through the day the waves continue to crash upon the shore.  The crash, crash, crash continues day and night.  To me it is like the steady thrum, thrum, thrum of a whooshing heartbeat.  It's God's heartbeat.  Steady.  Constant. Strong. Never ceasing. Filled with love.  I close my eyes and listen to the rhythm.

Even at night, we sleep with the sliding door cracked open and in the middle of the night, when all is blackness, I still hear the crashing waves reminding me that God's heart of love is beating and watching over me through the night. He never slumbers nor sleeps.  His eye is always upon me.  His ear is bent ever close....listening to my prayers. Even if I have bad dreams, His song gently lulls me back to sleep.

Every morning we watch Kayla (the big, friendly, black lab) and her master, Charlie, go for walks along the beach.  To Kayla, the ocean is her playground. She delights in the sand and the surf and the ability to run ahead and fetch the ball that Charlie lobs with his David-like sling shot.  

Hers is pure, unfettered joy and fun.  She loves the place to which Charlie brings her every day.  Because she knows he's nearby, she feels safe.  She gallops ahead full throttle and then gently returns the ball to Charlie when he calls her name. She walks close beside her master's side, looking up at him....waiting for his next command. She is grateful for his love and attention. This is her happy place - at Charlie's side.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand” John 10:27-28

                               

As Dave and I walk along the beach with Topper, our beagle, I am drawn to the shells at the tide's edge.  The tides, I observe, act as though they are in a military cadence directed by God.  They ebb and flow at His command.  They remind me of God's vigilant protection.  Nothing in this world startles God or catches Him off guard. Nothing happens that is outside His sovereignty.  

I notice that many of the shells, because of the rough seas at the Outer Banks, are turned into "sea pebbles".  Their rough, pointy, and jagged exteriors have been tumbled like raw gem stones in a jeweler's tumbler.  The longer they endure this tumbling, their edges are smoothed down and their surface becomes like glass - smooth and shiny.  As the water coats them they glisten and shimmer in the sunlight and they catch my eye.  

Sometimes I have felt like those shells, being tumbled in the harsh trials of life. God knows, however, what He is doing.  He is smoothing off the rough edges and making me into something beautiful that will reflect His glory. It's not pleasant but it molds my character and fashions me to be more like his Son. This is my calling.



One day the weather channel warned us that a storm was on it's way.  Though the sun was still shining and warming our faces, we could see in the far off, distant horizon that a storm was brewing.  The dark clouds were quickly closing in.  

I kept watching the sun as it dodged in and out of the encroaching clouds. Finally, the sun shot forth its last rays as if to say, "Don't worry.  Don't fear. Though the clouds and darkness may roll in and the rain will come, I will ALWAYS be right here behind them. Even though you won't be able to see me, it doesn't mean that I'm not right here, always watching over you.  Eventually the storm will pass and you will feel my warm rays on your face once again."....and then the sun disappeared.  

As it promised, twenty four hours later, the sun reappeared. Sometimes storms last for an hour....sometimes for much longer, but the sun always faithfully reappears. 

                         
                                                                         
These are just some of the words the ocean has been speaking to me this week....

What about you?  What has God's creation been speaking to your heart lately? Are there any lessons you learned or wisdom you gained this summer?  Would you share in the comments?  I'd love to hear....

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the beauty of Your creation.  I thank you that you have designed all of this for my good pleasure.  Help me not to take anything for granted or overlook any gift too small.  I praise You for the glory and majesty of Your creation and the lessons through which you continuously teach me.  Help me to be a student of You, my Lord.  Let me always walk close by Your side so that I may hear you call my name and I may know your precepts.  I thank you that, even though the storms and trials may come in life....You are always there.  You will never leave me nor forsake me and You will bring me through so that I may better resemble Your Son and reflect His love. Continue to speak Lord, Your servant is listening.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed.....

35 comments:

  1. What fabulous analogies and symbolism, Bev! I could hear the sounds and smiled along with your descriptions!!
    Have a blessed weekend!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie,
      There ARE so many analogies and lessons about the Truth of God found at the ocean. I think that's why there is such a draw for us to want to go there. Not surprisingly, God had some lovely messages to share with me...so glad they spoke to you too!
      Blessings,
      Bev xo

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  2. Thank you for the beautiful word pictures that you painted here today! I loved the thought of the sound of the waves reminding you of God's heartbeat. Truly He is with us, so near, night and day! --Blessings to you!

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    1. Bettie,
      Yes, when I woke up at night after having a bad dream, the ocean was like God's heartbeat - reminding me that He is ever present and ever loving me. What an awesome God we have. Thanks for sharing here!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  3. I LOVE your creative and beautiful and heartfelt words to describe your personal beach experience. It sounds like a retreat well deserved after your past couple months of many challenges! Pics are great too! I can SO relate to your post. Thank you for sharing this meaningful spiritual connection. Hugs Bev! 💞🏖🌅

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    1. Lisa,
      It IS a spiritual connection! The ocean has always drawn me in...it's a magnet to my soul. This time God gave me the words to express those analogies. The sand was a good place to try out my walking....flat and cushioned. I'm glad you enjoyed what I shared from my heart!
      Blessings and ((hugs)),
      Bev xo

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  4. We lived near the ocean for more than 20 years. Your description of the waves as God's heartbeat--steady, constant, strong, and never-ceasing--was spot-on, Bev! Now we're Midwesterners, far removed from that wonderful heartbeat reminder. I'll have to dig out my conch shell!

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    1. Nancy,
      Yes, dig out that conch shell!! I lived in the Midwest for 5 years and I did miss being able to easily get to the ocean. It just really struck me that for a whole week, God's heartbeat was steady of strong. It truly spoke to my heart! I'm sure having lived by the ocean for 20 years, you would really miss the ocean's call.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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    2. Thankfully, I haven't missed the ocean as much as I thought. Here I revel in the trees and hills, the changing seasons, less heat and humidity, and best of all, proximity to two of our children, in-law children (whom we love dearly), and two granddaughters. Life is good, even far removed from the ocean!

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  5. I haven't commented in a while, my friend, but ALWAYS enjoy your writing! You are so gifted. Thank you for sharing what God has laid upon your heart. You know how i share your love of the ocean and beach and I truly hear the Lord speaking to me when I am there. I am so glad you and Dave (and Topper) were able to get away and see God's handiwork - even through the storms!

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    1. Lisa,
      Thanks sweet friend...I know you LOVE the beach and understandably so! Thank you for being my faithful encourager in my writing endeavors since the very beginning. You are the best!
      Love you sweet friend,
      Bev xoxo

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  6. It must be one of the best thing to watch the sun rise near the ocean. Now that is on my bucket list to someday move near the seas or ocean :) No matter the storms uprising ,the Sun is always faithful and rises up on time. Reminds me of how faithful our Lord is and how He shows up ever on time.
    Btw, my toddlers saw the shells in the picture and said "mama pretty shells" :)

    I am your neighbor at RARA link up (#26)

    Diana
    http://dianasdiaries.com

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    1. Diana,
      Definitely it has to be on your bucket list!! I'm glad your toddlers liked the pretty shells :) Looking for seashells is a magical treasure hunt for children (and adults). Thanks for stopping by!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Bev, it's been a long time since I visited the ocean. But I remember learning several of these same lessons. Thank you for sharing them today!

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    1. Sarah,
      I hadn't been to the ocean in some time either and then I realized - oh this is why I love coming here!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  8. Dear Bev, I'm so happy you and your hubby got to have such a delightful vacation. I love the beach! It literally struck a chord to me when you described the rhythm of the waves as "God's heartbeat". For the past few months, I've been noticing and enjoying the delicacy of flower petals. They're so beautiful and delicate, whispers of God's love.

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    1. Alice,
      I study the delicacy of flower petals two!! Isn't it amazing all the sizes, shapes, and colors of flowers and their petals - no two alike. Our God is truly amazing, isn't He?!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  9. Bev, I LOVE falling asleep to the sound of the ocean! How fortunate you and your husband got to enjoy that sweet luxury. :)

    God has continued to remind me of His great love for His children. When I see the detail he has placed in His creation, I am reminded that He cares for His kids that much more. He knows the intricate details of who we are and the paths He has for each of us. He is walking with us, pointing out His beauty, And lifting us when we fall. enjoying our wonder as we discover facets of His creation and His love for us.

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    1. Jeanne,
      I don't know how you could see, hear, and touch God's creation and not know that He is amazing and He truly exists. He made all the wondrous things around us and then calls us the crowning glory of His creative efforts. How can we not feel special?
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  10. One of my favorite settings as well!
    Thanks for taking us on vacation with you! I loved hearing about all the things you were seeing and the ways in which God was weaving truth into your thoughts.

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    1. Michele,
      I take that as a compliment from you....you weave words together so beautifully. I'm glad I was able to take you there with me :)
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  11. So many beautiful images and illustrations. Reading this was like taking a mini-vacation, Bev, thank you!

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    1. Bethany,
      Thank you...what kind words - they touched my heart!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  12. What a beautiful analogy. I felt as if I were on the breach right along with you.

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    1. Barbie,
      How better to go to the beach and not have sand in every corner of your clothes and suitcase when you get home?? LOL
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  13. Dear Bev ... I love love love your ode to the ocean's splendors ... and God's presence and voice in the midst. What a moving post.

    P.S. Did you scoop up any sea glass at the water's edge?

    *bliss*

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    1. Linda,
      You know I looked for sea glass and I only found 2 pieces?? Thank you so much for your kind words. When I slow down long enough to listen, God really speaks to me. He certainly didn't disappoint me that week. Even though the weather wasn't that great (two storms) it was a delight in other ways!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  14. Ocean's Deep. Beautiful and I love the ocean also!!! Visiting from Beth's!

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    1. Susan,
      I feel spoiled where we live...a couple hours one way and we're at the ocean...a couple hours the other way and the mountains. Love our NC home!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  15. I love the ocean, too! The waves aren't always gentle, though--but I'm sure our antics speed God's heart up as well :). I learned a great lesson from watching birds this summer (lots of great lessons, actually ;)).

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    1. I have a birdfeeder just outside my kitchen window and I marvel at all the sizes, shapes, colors, and details of each bird - no two the same. God's creation is filled with such majesty and creativity.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  16. Good Morning Bev,
    I am so glad that you and Dave had a wonderful vacation. We need those times to get away and let God just bathe us in the beauty of His creation. He knows exactly what we need to see and hear and smell for our souls to take notice of His Presence with us.
    Blessings! xo

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    1. Joanne,
      Thanks so much. Yes, God made me very aware of His presence and that was a key piece in this slow recuperation of mine. I think He knew I needed those essential reminders.
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev
      xo

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  17. Bev, I'd forgotten y'all were going to the beach. That sounds like such a treat. Beautiful words you've written here. The ocean speaks calm, and truth, and rest, doesn't it? We've been wanting to go, but haven't been able to get all the schedules to cooperate. :) Glad you had a great time. ((Hug))

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    1. Brenda,
      We hadn't been for awhile and it was so calming to just hear the continuous heartbeat of those waves. It does speak calm and truth. Thanks for your sweet words here.
      Blessings,
      Bev ((hugs))

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