Walking on the Beach (May 7, 2007)

Yesterday, Elisa and I spent a great deal of time just walking. We walked along the beach. We walked to the nearby shops. We sat by the pool. I guess when you really stop and thing about it, we just didn't do very much, but I found the rest to be wonderful. Walking along the beach was amazing. Hearing the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and feeling it splash against our feet was refreshing.Walking along the shore just after my early morning devotion yesterday, I had the chance once again to listen to the Lord in nature. As we walked along, we came to some small tidal pools, where the tide was just coming in. These little pools form along the shoreline in rocky areas that can collect water as the tide goes out. You can tell where the low tide mark is by the defined line of sea water dependant plant life. The little pools themselves look like puddles that would form after a rain storm. The biggest differenc cannot readily be seen. When a puddle forms after a rainstorm, it contains very little life, but when a tidal pool forms it can be filled with life. If you are only willing to stop and look. As we took our time, we found starfish, anemonies, crabs, several kinds of fish and other living things that we couldn't identify. It became a sort of game to see who could find something new.Our journey on this earth can be like those tidal pools at times. It can be filled with life and all sorts of excitement, but we try to make the journey to quickly we miss what is right there before our eyes. Slowing down can be such a good thing, but it can be so difficult given our culture. As I examined these tidal pools I was reminded how grateful I am that the CCF leadership and congregation was willing to allow us this opportunity to slow down and identify all the life that surrounds us.