Reflections from the Beach pt. 1

Isaac (and Papa), braving the waves last year. (2011)

(originally written June 5, 2010)

My little family and I have been at the beach this week on vacation. Its been quite an excursion, I assure you. Even with three children to keep track of, I have had quite a bit of time to ponder a lot of things. Sand, ocean waves, bright sunshine – all have been medicine for my soul this week.

One of my keenest memories from the trip, I have locked away for the long term. My sweet boy, Isaac and I were out in the waves as the ocean rolled in. There are few things that are more fun than jumping the waves – we were holding on tightly to each other and giggling.

In fact, our giggling bubbled up into peels of laughter. As his little hands gripped my shoulders, I’d jump up and then we would let the waters wash us to shore, all the while just chortling. What a time we had. I’ve promised myself I won’t ever forget it!

After, as we dried off in the sunshine, I thought of this song from my childhood:

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
since Jesus came into my heart,
I have life in my soul for so long I had sought,
since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,
since Jesus came into my heart,
floods of joy o’er my soul
like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart!”

This song really means something so different to me tonight. As the sea billows rolled, Isaac and I experienced such Joy! Is this the kind of joy the song was talking about? Are we meant to have Joy that brews in the belly, rupturing into fountains of laughter?

Yes! Yes! and Yes! Often I look to Jesus as healer, comforter – pleading for Him to bring aid in my sorrows and trials. But I do not expect relief to come in that form of true, uninhibited Joy! Sometimes I take myself so seriously that I attempt to keep the waves at bay.

Knowing Jesus, his forgiveness and his salvation, brings joy – the kind that begins in the tips of my toes, flooding my heart and soul, rising all the way to the top of my head.