It has been a long, long time [at least it seems that way] since I have been to the beach. After the kids started doing it with their families, we kind of got out of the habit. But I spent around 8 years of my young childhood either a block from the beach, or a few miles from it, and I learned to love it. This year’s excursion was like greeting an old friend!
One of the things that always strikes me — even when I am safely in the mountains, and can only see the ocean in my mind — is the power of all that water. What a great God we serve, Who put the limits on the ocean, and Who governs the winds and the waves. [See Prov. 8, esp. v. 29] My heart is always stirred and strengthened in the Lord when I walk beside the ocean.
Another thing about beaches is how fun they are for children. When Tom and I took the kids, I loved sitting in my beach chair, watching the children test the waters, play in the sand, and esp. enjoy running on the beach and feeling the wind rush past them. The little ones particularly seemed to love the running part — so much of their little lives had limits. Here they could run a long ways before Mama told them to come back, or a big sister or brother came running after them. Often they came back on their own, seeming to understand the distance, and to want to be close again. It helped, too, that we went in September, after the school year had started, so we often had the beach almost to ourselves.
One of the things about having lots of grandchildren is that it is harder to spend quality time with each of them. This trip was special in that I was able to hold and care for my newest little granddaughter, Fiona. I often have to stand in line to hold her, she has so many adoring sisters, but this trip gave me ample time to be one of her nurses. What a treasure!
These trips are memory makers, and I’d love to hear about some of your trips too.
Until next time…..