Taking it all in

Last weekend, Bird completed the first semester of his on-line Executive MBA courses. The coursework has been extremely demanding leaving him little time for relaxing.  In addition, December was an emotional month for our family with the passing of his grandmother and the overwhelming reminder from the calendar telling us another year of waiting to be chosen for a baby has come and gone. It was time to break away from our normal routines to relax, refresh and ready ourselves for what lies ahead.  We loaded up the car and drove to the ocean to wash away the emotional gunk and refresh our spirits like only a day at the beach can do.

  

Have you ever considered what makes the beach such a spiritual and healing place?  I think it has something to do with how completely God allows it to infiltrate our senses. 

We hear the deep rumbling surf as it climbs the beach ultimately reaching a soft bubbly pitch.  We hear seabirds calling to one another as they bounce and soar on the breeze above our heads.  Squeals and laughter can be heard from children and adults alike as they play in or at the water's edge.  A dog barks excitedly and the soft drumming of his feet in the sand can be heard as he races past finally leaping and splashing into the cold wet surf rescuing his favorite toy. Joyful noises reverberate from all corners of the beach. 

We see an endless sky and ocean that somehow meet and become one on the horizon.  We see smiling sun kissed faces.  We see couples walking slowly hand in hand or softly kissing in the sand.  Families and friends play games like volleyball, Frisbee or bad mitten.  They build sandcastles and moats together.  One family takes turns burying a loved one up to their ears in the sand.  

Carefully, they scoop the sand up and over legs, arms and stomachs until finally only a face can be seen.  Before emerging from the sand a photo is taken to remember and cherish the moment.  Giggles trickle through the family as one by one they look at the silly photo of their loved one laying buried beneath the sand.  In the distance a ship silently sails by and a dolphin or maybe a seal plays in the waves just out of reach while they curiously watch us on the beach.  People scan the sand searching for the perfect shell or polished glass treasure the ocean has given up.  Ahead there is a well worn path.  Eventually people wander over to find where it leads and explore the tall reed like grasses that surround it.  People climb on rough rocks, jumping from one to the next hoping to avoid the wet surf below.  At the top of a enormous hill tiny silhouettes can be seen waving to loved ones on the beach below.

We taste and smell the salty sweet air and water.  Somewhere, someone has built a fire or lit a BBQ to prepare their burgers.  Occasionally a grain of sand falls into our mouths and crunches irritatingly between our teeth as we bite into burger, sandwich or piece of fruit.  Picnic baskets, blankets and coolers are littered across the sand while people enjoy the refreshing treats they've lovingly prepared and brought from home.

We feel the sun warming our skin and slowly it's warmth reaches into our core, our spirit.  Suddenly, we can't hold back any longer, we stand and step off the blanket into the warm sand.  It spreads and tickles our toes while it gently massages our feet with each and every hurried step we take. Finally, we test the water. BRRRRR it's FREEZING maybe even a little painful.  Goosebumps form across our skin and suddenly we tingle from head to toe.  Still, we can't stop ourselves from running and splashing with abandon.  We wonder how far we dare wander into the ocean before it chases us safely ashore or completely engulfs our bodies lifting us off the ground for only a moment before softly setting us back down?  It doesn't take long for our bodies to feel numb from the cold.  We grab a towel to dry ourselves and the sand feels sharp as it scratches our soft skin. Ahhhh!

As the sun fell toward the sea, the sky darkened and changed from a solid light blue to varied shades of pink, purple, blue and gold.  The darkness pushed us to pack our bags and leave.  Walking toward the car our hearts were at peace and our spirits felt light and free.  One by one I watched my family look back over their shoulders hoping to capture one last glimpse of what was a perfect day at the beach.