Summer Days By The Sea

Summer Days By The Sea

Many years ago during a very difficult season in my life, some kind friends offered their condo at the beach to my sons and me for a mini vacation. It was a generous gift that I’ve never forgotten, a few days that allowed us to forget our troubles for a time. What I thought would only be a change of scene, and a brief escape from the stress that had come our way, became so much more. Twice, under very different circumstances, I was reminded of the Lord’s presence, provision, and love for us.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

  

~   Part One

We arrived on a warm summer afternoon and immediately made our way to walk on the beach boardwalk. On one side were the typical, some might say tacky, beach shops and the fast food establishments selling funnel cakes, salt water taffy and other equally unhealthy, but delicious fare. The beach side was an entirely different scene, God’s glorious creation of blue sky and sea, with the rhythmic and seemingly eternal waves washing up on the shore.

As we walked back to the condo we came across a sculptor working on the beach with the simplest of tools, a plastic knife and a spray bottle of water and sand, huge mounds of sand. We stood entranced by the artist, a pastor, silently demonstrating his God-given skill for a long time. His designs were the most incredible biblical scenes on several sand hills with etched Sand sculpturesScripture verses beneath. These scenes were dramatic and rather incongruous across the boardwalk from shops with racks of bikinis and boogie boards for sale. It was a stunning reminder for me that even when we are wandering through a difficult period, with all its worldly distractions, God’s plans won’t be thwarted. One can experience the powerful provision and presence of the Lord in the most unexpected places.

Come back on Thursday and learn of the second gift the Lord provided.

11 Replies to “Summer Days By The Sea”

  1. Janet, tears came to me eyes as I read the message in the sand. What an uplifting post! Thank you for sharing God’s comfort during your trial. And I look forward to reading the rest on Thursday! Blessings!

    1. Thank you, Elaine. What a unique and powerful ministry that pastor had.

      I witnessed the the Lord’s presence, power, and provision in so many ways during those difficult years.

      1. I loved it. It reminded me to look for little reminders of Love and Grace from God during my very busy day today. They are always present if we remember to watch for them. Thank you!

  2. Janet, that is so beautiful and incredible!!! I find the beach and the seashore so relaxing and restorative. Just something about the salt air and the sound of the ocean. I can feel God’s presence. I can imagine how wonderful you must have felt to have been able to watch this sand sculpture being created. Amazing! Can’t wait to see what the second gift was. Blessings!

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa. I love the sea and also find it a place of spiritual renewal. There’s something of the continual, and almost eternal, aspect of being near the ocean. It also reminds me how small I am in the “big picture”.

  3. I too had an opportunity to stay at a beach house this past spring to get some writing done. There was a man doing the same type of sand art at the beach, and it was amazing. As you said it was quite a contrast to the boardwalk. What a great ministry he had. So many people stood to watch him work, and they got the message about our Savior. It was a huge blessing to me.

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Erin. Our days at the seashore were in Ocean City, MD. I am so pleased that this ministry, wherever it is, is continuing.

Leave a Reply to Sharon Spiegel Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *