I will be sharing with you over the next 3 weeks blogs that one of our pastor’s wives here at the ministry wrote and I believe they will be an encouragement to you.
A few years ago, our area experienced a direct hit by a hurricane. This event coincided with our planned week for a beach vacation. Once power had been restored both in our home and at the resort, we headed towards our vacation spot a few days into our vacation week.
When we arrived at our resort destination late in the afternoon, we took a walk down to the beach to see what the storm had affected. We had heard that prior to the storm’s arrival, the waters both in this beach area and the bay area had resided, leaving the “under the sea” ground exposed. Once the storm hit and passed, the waters rolled back in but perhaps not as they once were.
As we strolled along the beach, we saw evidence of this in the most remarkable form. Just ahead of us we spotted a six-inch seahorse lying on the beach, evidently alive as we saw its form rising and falling with breath. My husband quickly scooped this seahorse up onto his flip-flop and carried it into the surf of the gulf and let it gently roll off into the water. It started to bob up and down and we were content that we had helped this little creature in its dilemma.
We came upon a few folks that were local to the area and had witnessed the waters’ receding and had knowledge of the sea life. After we shared our seahorse story several times, we were told that the seahorses did not belong along these shores but lived in the bay area amongst the mangroves. The waters had obviously brought this one and perhaps many others to this area of the beach.
Why do I tell this story? For two reasons.
The first reason is that as life was halted by this hurricane, we did not return immediately to our quick pace of life. We took on a pace of strolling through our days as we observed the changes that the storm had brought upon the land and seas.
I am grateful that I took the time to snap a photo of this little seahorse. It is a clear reminder to me that life can change quickly, often not by our own hands.
We may find ourselves on a different shore of circumstance and God will provide us help through the hands of those He brings across our path.
I have taken into my present-day a pace of strolling rather than hurrying. I have observed new things that I may have before missed. I have learned better to say, “Thank you” to God in the moment of a sunset, a well-placed encouraging word from another, or an opportunity to be generous in spirit with my time or resources.
The second reason is that I was reminded how God is powerful and in charge of the weather and what changes can come just by wind and water. But I was also reminded that even the small creatures are cared for. And sometimes God has us participate in the care over others. Whether it is sea creatures or land animals or people, God sees and cares for each one.
Perhaps this little sea horse did not survive even a moment in the waters, but it does not take away the fact that we came upon it and helped it in its return to the sea. God allowed us to slow down, stroll along the sea and see one of His creatures in despair.
How much more does He see each one of us, His children? I love how this scripture explains our worth.
Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV) 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
As we go forward into the new year of 2020, perhaps it would be beneficial to slow down just a bit to take a stroll along our own shoreline and see what God has prepared for us to observe.
Come stroll with me…
— Patti
I pray that what Patti shared with us today will encourage us to slow down and be reminded of what God has for us.
0 Comments