I found myself walking down the beach with tears filling my eyes and overflowing down my cheek as I passed one couple after another. “God, why has this happened to us? I miss walking along side Mark, hand-in-hand down the beach.” My mind reflected back over the years of our late spring and early fall trips to the beach in order to get away and relax. We would walk the beach; he would tell me that if we were going to walk, he was not doing it for exercise but to enjoy the beach. Quite the opposite of our typical personalities; he had always taken seriously whatever he did, and I was the one who wanted to stroll through life enjoying every moment, not taking anything too seriously. But, when it came to walking down the beach, we switched roles. Now with Mark unable to maneuver the sand, I was missing those walks and deeply wishing that I had cherished those moments.
Just about then, I passed a lady who looked to be in her 60’s, walking alone, and I wondered if she was widowed, or perhaps her husband was no longer able to walk with her, as mine was not. Feeling sorry for myself, I surmised that her husband was probably just playing golf for the afternoon and that their life was certainly better than mine. I found myself looking down in order that no one I encountered would see the tears. As I walked, I heard God speak in the quiet of the moment as the afternoon tide gently and quietly was being pulled out into the Gulf. “Look up My child. You are missing so much. Look up. You are not alone. I am here. Look around and you will see Me.”
At that moment, I looked across the water’s surface just in time to see a school of fish jumping out of the ocean like popcorn popping in a bag. For the first time, I noticed the castle built in the sand and the abundance of shells strewn on the beach. There were numerous birds scampering along the water’s edge. I looked up to see the most beautiful array of fluffy white clouds set against an incredible royal blue sky. Then the most amazing thing happened: the sun burst through a small opening in the abundance of cloud cover. It was as if God were speaking and saying, “The Son is here, I am walking this beach hand-in-hand with you, My child. Don’t look down, look up.”
The tears disappeared and joy was restored. My heart still ached for what was now lost, but I rejoiced to know that I will never have to walk the beach alone again! The Son is walking hand-in-hand with me!
“Oh Father, how truly sweet you are! Thank you for revealing Your Son to me in all His glory! Thank you that I will never walk a beach alone. My joy is in You! How grateful I am that You make all things beautiful and that Your presence is all around me. I will look up!”
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” Psalm 89:1-2”
“But the Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
“For I the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
dianne