Discovery
The Sea – My Happy Place
Nothing nurtures my soul more fully than spending time by the sea, taking long walks along the seashore—even on a stormy day with disastrous hair!
I am not a strong swimmer and never swim in the ocean. I’ve never imagined deep sea diving, and in fact, have no desire to even go snorkeling. I don’t love the sea for what I can do in it. I just love the sea for what it is!
So, what is that?
I love the sea’s moods.
A friend told me she didn’t like the ocean because it seemed angry. Her comment made me realize that is one of the many reasons I like it. I appreciate honest emotions, and the sea seems very transparent with its moods! One minute, tranquil waves lap gently against the seashore. Later, the sea rages, thrashing angrily.
I love the sea in light of the Genesis Creation story.
Once, my husband and I walked without talking, hand-in-hand in a rocky cove along the Oregon Coast. Waves thundered, crashing against huge, jagged rocks. Ron broke the silence, commenting, “This makes me feel so insignificant. These powerful waves could grab me, and all of a sudden, I’d disappear.”
My thoughts differed. I had just been thinking about how important the powerful sea made me feel, recounting to my husband the Creation story in Genesis 1.
Verses 9 and 10 say,
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
Then, reading on, verses 27 and 31 say,
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
What I’d been thinking about is that while God’s creation of the sea was good, God considered creation of male and female—like Ron and me—REALLY good.
Finally, I love what comes from the sea.
Seafood is my favorite, and whenever we travel near the ocean, it is what I order. In our recent getaway to South Carolina, we were introduced to scrumptious shrimp and grits in Myrtle Beach. At a little tavern in Charleston, I ordered She-Crab Soup (amazing!). Ron ate scallops every chance he got, and we enjoyed grouper tacos.
I love seashells!
Strolling along the expansive coastline in South Carolina, I instructed myself, “You’re not going to pick up seashells. We already have more than enough at home.” But I disobeyed my instruction! Seashells fascinate me because within each a living creature once found its home.
Picking up one perfect tiny white shell, I pondered, leading to a prayerful question.
So, God, Jesus told his friends you are aware of every small sparrow that falls to the ground. (Matthew 10:29)
Are you also aware of every tiny creature that lives in the sea?
I hope you’ve enjoyed these random Thursday thoughts and photos from the beautiful South Carolina sea!
Whether you love the sea or not, blessings on your journey!
