Have you walked along the beach lately? Have you ever taken delight in combing the beach for seashells or perhaps other interesting things? I remember when I was a kid, we lived on a naval base in Florida. We visited the beaches often. I recall searching for sand dollars, seashells and shark teeth. I also recall being stung by a jellyfish. When we walk along the seashore there is no telling what we may discover as we intentionally search the sand below our feet.
Today, walk along the seashore with me. Delight in the quietness around you as you hear the crashing waves of the ocean and feel the coolness of the water wash over your feet. Notice the water turning over the sand as it washes ashore. Do you see anything below? Does anything stand out before you?
Now look at your day, your week, the footprints that are trailing behind you in the sand. Has anything significant happened? Let your thoughts turn over the events of the day or week, searching for those feelings that have been the strongest in your day or week. Pause for a moment and listen to those feelings, what are they telling you about your day or week. Wash the sand away from them and discover the gem of those feelings. Are they feelings of joy and happiness or are they feelings of anger and resentment. Perhaps they are feelings of peace or regrets. Whatever they may be, search them deeper, uncover what God may be revealing to you through those feelings.
As you search deeper to understand these feelings, to discover what they are and what they mean for your journey, you notice someone walking towards you. He approaches you with gentleness and love and invites you to breakfast that he has prepared right there on the shore of the sea. You feel you know him but you are uncertain. As you accept his offer for breakfast, your feelings you just uncovered reveal the fruits of your journey to you. You know what God is telling you through these feelings, what He is asking you to do in your journey. Everything is so clear to you and you realize this person offering you breakfast is Jesus, and He is guiding your thoughts as you overturn and uncover your feelings. He comforts any feelings that are troubling you and He illuminates any feelings of joy and peace. Sit by the shore with Him for a little while, be present with Him and embellish this moment of comfort and peace of all that you are feeling from the day or week.
In John 21:1-14, Jesus appears to His disciples at the sea, just as He has appeared to you. They are out fishing one night and are not successful in catching anything. Jesus is standing on the shore and asks them about their catch and then tells them to throw the nets over the right side of the boat and they catch a plentitude of fish. At this point Peter realizes it’s Jesus standing before them. Their disappointments of not catching any fish have turned into a moment of comfort and joy, not because they caught fish but because they see Jesus.
Just as the disciples delight in the presence of Jesus, may you as well because He is present with you whether you are on the shore of the sea or in your house staring out the window.
Categories: Faith, Time with God
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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