Almost a month ago, I stood on the banks of Ravenglass at twilight and England spoke of my destiny. I stood in the place where relatives of centuries left their imprint on the rocky shores beneath. Where the gales of hardship beat against the walls of fate but they still carried on.
The tide pulled her waters out to sea, left boats captive on shore waiting for her ripples to return. And I am mesmerized by this scene of tipped over sails like toys left stewn on the floor without hands to push them along.
“This is your life without my Spirit to guide you,” he whispers with each click of captured beauty. Grounded. Will you wait for me? The rushing waters of my Spirit will navigate to places you have never been before. We will move out together into uncharted waters of adventure.”
When life returns to grocery lists, soapy sinks, last minute school projects and waiting rooms of life, I walk along Atlantic shores of home. Cast my cares out like fishing line searching for answers that float in deep water.
And just when I think my line is empty, nothing but the voice of the wind to fill my ears, I look to the horizon. Cup hands around eyes to see the outline of a boat headed out to sea. The rocking waves of His Spirit carried me here and the adventure he planned, it’s already under way.
I just couldn’t see past what was right in front of me.
I need the sea because it teaches me. ~Pablo Neruda
Joining Lisa-Jo for Five Minute Friday with the one word prompt: See. Also linking with Faith Filled Friday.
love that image of being grounded…so often I’m so caught up in screaming for the waters to come take me somewhere else that I lose sight of where I am and then even more the fears creap in when the waters do start to come for fear that they’ll take me away.
oh to move freely with Him without worry, fear, and the desire for control! To just be content to see where we are.
Beautiful! Touched me and inspired me.
Love this line: “I just couldn’t see past what was right in front of me.” I so often get caught up in what is front and center. Thanks for this lovely reminder.
Beautiful!
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/
yes …
there’s absolutely nothing in the world like the sea … to refresh, to inspire, to restore and recalibrate!
Can I just say—YES. 🙂
Wow, your post stopped me dead in my tracks. Beautiful, thought provoking, challenging! Thank you!
Jody, this blesses me and thank you so much for the tweet as well. Felt the love today for sure.
Shelly, stunning. That’s the only word that fits the sentiment, the writing, the photos.
Aww, thanks Heather, appreciate your kindness.
This was beautiful. You have such a way with words that speak truth.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
thanks Debbie. Love seeing you in the comments because you remind me of my hometown, Phoenix.
Pure brilliance. So glad you chose the sea for this write.
You had me with you on that shoreline. peering too far ahead. Thank you for reminding me to adjust my focus to what is right in front of me. For even if I’m in a season of waiting, He’s still moving in, around, and through me. Still has a present purpose for me…
You are my blogger of the day in my blogger prayer project, friend! Will be praying for you incessantly today. (sent you an email) Hugs to you!
Thank you for praying for me today Nikki, I felt them coming my way. Had a productive day of writing.
yes, beautifully written, YES to all of this. The sea teaches me too. I love being near the ocean, I always Hear Him speaking to me underneath the roar of waves. Bless you, friend. Thank you for this.
so good to connect with you Kris. Still praying for you as you linger in my mind.
I love the quiet thoughtfulness of this post.
I’m enjoying catching up with your blog on Fridays!
Tanya, it is good to catch up with you on Friday friend.
Lord, this is beautiful stuff!
Both word imagery and literal pictures.
Shelly the poet, the painter of words.
thank you Debra, and for the tweet today too sweet friend.
Love this. The sea ministered to me while we spent summers in Honduras. Knowing that somehow God took those mighty waves and held them in place so that they mostly stayed in predictable boundaries reassures me even now.
I don’t think I realized you lived in Honduras Laura, what a wonderful experiecne.
so good, Shelly. Can’t wait to see you!
Standing on the shore with you, friend, waiting for the ripples to return. But you help me see what’s right in front of me, too. xoxo
Loved this post. Some of my closest times with God are when I walk the beach alone with Jesus. I will be praying for you today and thank you for blessing my heart with your lovely post.
Joy
thank you for the prayers, always so comforting knowing someone is praying on my behalf. And I find those times on the shore some of the most intimate with Him as well.
The other day when I read your post about being lonely for Phoenix, I had this thought…”oh, but you have the wonder of the sea, such a gift where you live now!” 🙂 And here’s your heart description, not far behind… Beautiful. And oh, such stunning photos. I’ve never seen the sea with a yellow cast.
I grew up in CA so I know the sea and all it’s glory. You bring me back to it today (though it is never far from my heart… the lakes where I live are much like it, yet…not quite. ::) ) I love my home, but dream of a home by the sea too. And listening to His whisper in the waves…
Thanks for the usual redeemed beauty! .
Pam, I did a bit of editting on those photos (one a bit too yellow and I was sleepy!). I love the way you think and always enjoy your comments.
I am so hearing this with my heart tonight. *exhale*
Would love to stand on the edge of that shore with you, pushing our toes in the sand and talking about our growing boys.