Lessons From the Beach

 

A friend and I went to the beach yesterday, where the sun was hot and the breezes cool.  It was delicious.  It occurred to me, not for the first time, that in our techno age, and our era of abundance in every corner (just look around your home and see if I'm not right), we need the simplicity of the beach.  To see three layers:  sand, sea, and sky, and nothing else.  It never fails to soothe my senses and bring peace and quiet to my heart.  I always long to stay much longer than my receptive skin (red, again!) and schedule can manage, and usually try to tuck a few more minutes into my visit. 

Please take time this summer to get to the beach, and savor.  Take long minutes to absorb the scenery and let it soak into your veins. 

And then, by God's grace, bring it back with you into your everyday world.  Not to make you discontent, but to call you to simpler living and thinking and decorating and scheduling.  Let it remind you of the rest that only Christ gives.  Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light  (Matthew 11:28-30).  For only in Him is my soul at rest.