Sinking Sand

---

Stories from the beach continue to stir a week later. The day after writing last week’s blog, Beach Buddy, I had another writable moment. Day four of walking to the pier I was filled with confidence of my ability to walk longer and further than before. I was aware of the people around me and the joy of the Lord filled my heart.

There is one spot along the way that I have always found fascinating. The pond across the street spills through the duct under the road making it’s way toward the ocean. As the fresh and salt waters mix together the swirling and constant motion tears away at the sand creating beautiful movement and something more interesting than any man-made sand castle.

As I stepped down to cross through the swirling waters, my feet sank to my ankles. I pulled my feet up like lead, only to be sucked with great force into the sand to my knees. Struck with fear, adrenaline pumped through my veins giving me the ability to yank my knee up, crawling out to safety. I heard a voice on the beach yelling, as I am sure it was terrifying to watch. With trembling legs, I walked so rapidly as if I were going to outrun the sinking sand. Moving quickly down the beach, I fumbled with my phone to call my husband, clinging to the comfort of his voice. I could hardly speak as I was so frightened, but it helped to recount the experience and to thank God I was OK.

Panic took over and seemed to draw me down the beach to get away from the fear of sinking sand. The entire walk I knew that I had to go back through this spot to return to my condo. Occasionally I glanced behind me wondering if others would make it through with no problem. What if a child was sucked under? With no other walkers in sight, I continued my shaky walk to the pier.

My thoughts turned to the spiritual application.

Why did I keep walking? Why didn’t I stay and warn other walkers of the danger?

It is easier for us to confidently go through life pressing toward our goal than to pause and be acutely aware that there is a great sinkhole that will strike down as many as possible. Abundant life has been made available through Christ for all, but a world is heading to the ultimate sinkhole and there will be no way out. How can we pass through knowing that others are heading right into the trap of eternal death?

Should we not stand on the other side warning others of the danger ahead?

Instead, we safely pass over through the cross and move on toward our goal just ever so slightly peeking behind to see if others are making it safely. We become obsessed with our own journey and our own goal that we forget we are the messengers of Good News. We have graciously been given the privilege to warn others of the danger ahead and show them the way of Jesus Christ.

“Lord, we thank you for rescuing us from sinking sand of eternal death. Give us a heart for the lost. Give us new passion to watch for others and point them in the right direction. Give us courage to speak up and be a sign post pointing to you.”

Now…for the return walk. How was I going to pass through this same fearful spot to get back to my condo?

To Be Continued…

Beach Buddy

---

The trip to the beach always holds many delights and surprises. Time away from the normal schedule and hours upon hours to read, meditate, nap and enjoy hubby and friends is a glorious vacation. Walking the beach searching for seashells is one of my favorite things to do. The early morning breeze prods me along, and the sandpipers are my companions. The pier seems a very obtainable goal until my feet, ankles and calves begin to rebel. It seems to move further away instead of me getting closer. Finally reaching the destination, I take a deep breath, snap a few photos and turn to make the walk back to our condo just hoping and praying my feet will carry me home.

On the first day, I stopped short of the pier, turning back just to insure I could make it. On day two my husband accompanied me and we made it a stroll instead of an exercise routine. On day three I was thrilled to make it with no problem. Worship music in my ear and the presence of God filling me, I knew I could make it. I tapped the pier post and turned to return home. In the distance heading my way was my beach buddy. Once a year, we meet up at the timeshare and days are full of little catch up times, but the best part is we share a passionate love for God. I was well on my way back when I spotted her coming my way. Good morning hugs and our chatting was in full motion. Before I knew what I was doing, I turned and motioned that I would return to the pier with her. The pier is the goal for everyone and on this day, I would do it again to be with her.

The conversation was filled with encouragement and blessing of the Lord. We not only reached the pier, but also kept walking beyond. I soon suggested we better turn back so I could make it. As we walked and talked of Jesus, before I realized it we were not only back to our condo but also beyond it.

I stopped and said, “Wait a minute, we passed our condo.” Her response was precious. “I know. I was enjoying our time so much and just didn’t want it to end. I treasure my Martha time.”

As I thought of it later I smiled. A beautiful lesson learned…..

“With a friend beside you, you can walk longer and further than you ever imagined.“

The focus was different. It wasn’t just a walk or even just exercise. The pier was not the goal to be conquered. The condo was not necessarily the stopping point.

The goal was time together; conversation; encouragement; connection.

It happened with no thought and no effort.

There is a world crying out for connection, time, encouragement, love.

To be seen, heard and known.

More often than I am happy to admit, I am caught in “my time” and “my goal” that I miss the wonderful opportunities right in front of me. But not this day. I saw my friend and snagged the opportunity to help her reach the goal and to be with her. She slowed her pace for me and took me further than I dreamed I could go. Our hearts were filled with blessing and words of life. I walked faster all day from the overflow of my beach buddy time.

Who’s walking your way? Don’t miss the opportunity…there is a treasure to be found in people greater than any washed up seashell.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor;

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Gift Every Mother Needs

---

I remember it like yesterday. I was scared out of my skin the first time the nurse brought my firstborn son into my room for feeding in the middle of the night. After making sure everything was OK she walked out and there I lay alone with this new bundle of life having no clue what to do. As he began nursing he strangled and I was sure he was going to die right there in my arms. Fear rushed in as I pressed the emergency button over and over. Of course he cleared out the gunk on his own and resumed feeding. Then came the morning to dress him up, strap him in the car seat and take him home. It was a happy day, but oh, so frightening.

Of course I became more comfortable as each day passed and was especially confident when my sweet mom was by my side teaching me everything I needed to know. She passed on little tricks that I wish every new mother knew. With her wisdom and help, I fumbled my way into this new mom role. She was only a phone call away for everything I needed to ask. “He won’t stop crying, what do I do? He has little bumps on his tummy, what do I do? He has white stuff on his tongue, what do I do? He hasn’t pooped all day, what do I do? He won’t sleep, what do I do? He’s still crying, what do I do?

She always seemed to know what to do and had a special touch with the babies.

Experience had grown a harvest of wisdom to be passed on to this needy and desperate young mom. We think the new mom thing is so hard until they turn into teenagers and overnight are young adults taking care of their own babies.

I hear it over and over as seasoned moms and nanas discuss how their heart aches for their children and grandchildren. No longer can we stick a pacifier in their mouths to hush them or command them in a corner to correct their behavior. Now our hearts ache to see them whole and healthy in every way. When they struggle, we struggle. When they have financial pressure we want to fix it. When they are living with consequences of bad choices, we want to put a band-aid on it. And yest sometime we just want to spank them. If only there was a lullaby that could calm them and make everything ok. How easy it was to kiss a boo-boo and turn the crying button off.

So what do we do now?

I gathered with my Jesus women just yesterday. Each quickly wrote the names of their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews on the little index card that seemed so small and flimsy to carry such a weight. There we lay our cards on the floor waiting for prayer to begin. As I strared at the pile of cards, I could only imagine the depth of all that lay there in the middle of our circle. Sitting in the quiet as the old hymns played, the load seemed to lighten. Just the thought of all of us together interceding for our beloved ones was powerful.

The leader of the day gave us treasures for praying. It was like attending a “new mom’s class”. This is how we pray for our children.

Prepare your heart for prayer. No sin, no hindrance.

Praise goes to battle first.

Proclaim to the enemy, he is no longer in charge.

Pray from praise and power in authority of Jesus name.

Lay all your request before the Lord.

Recognize the power of the blood of Jesus covering all your loved ones.

Trust His power to break every chain.

Watch expectantly for God to do what only God can do.

Suddenly, I got a glimpse of our greatest responsibility as moms. It is prayer. It is taking our hands off, letting go of control and praying power prayers for those we love. Just as we give life to our babies in the womb and give them life through our milk as infants, likewise we now give life through our prayers.

James 5:16 says: “The earnest prayer of a righteous person

has great power and produces wonderful results.“

I was so convicted that my first born and second born, my stepchildren, in-laws and grandchildren need this gift of prayer. I want to take this privilege and responsibility to believe in the power of prayer in their lives.

I had grown careless and shallow but am ready to take up the call to pray with fresh passion and power. With a new strategy in place, each child and grandchild will get a day of the week to be covered in prayer. As I lay away in the middle of the night still not having a clue what to do, I will pray believing God can and God will.

So this Mother’s Day, I am giving all of my children the gift. I will cry out to the Lord on their behalf as if their very lives depended on it. Lord, make me a warrior fighting spiritual battles in heavenly places. (Eph. 6: 10-18)

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18:6