I took my walk at Butterfly Beach today.
The shadows were long,
the temperature was unseasonably warm,
and I needed to breathe in the beach beauty
for a little while.
The tide was high tonight,
with barely a beach to stand on.
This is my other sanctuary,
quite different from the one I wrote about last night.
Last night spoke to my hunger
for the nearness of God,
the singular joys of being alone in the midst
of gathered community.
But when I face away from the sun,
I see him in full color,
his subtle shades of gray and white,
that startlingly bright orange beak,
even his reflection on the wet sand.
Right now, we are facing into a potentially difficult
situation for someone we love
someone we love more than life.
When I think of her and pray for her,
remembering this experience today
is helpful, centering, yes,
even calming.
Because today I had the momentary privilege
of seeing from two sides,
each beautiful in its own way.
Neither one is the whole picture.
Yes again to the path and his gracious way of allowing us to see in more ways than one when our hearts are heavy. I’m so glad you saw his nearness and captured it here. Praying with you on this path and sending a loving hug.
Is this why I love the beach so much? And, no, we don’t get to see the thing from every direction–so frustrating. But I love this–both God’s proximity and distance.
This brought tears Diana. The true beauty of it all. Praying for you dear one.
Thank you for these words. They blessed my heart today.
Holding you up, friend, as you hold your dear one up.
Love the phrase, “alone but not lonely.”
I saw your request through Jen and I am praying, praying, praying. Thank you for asking.
My heart is with you, Diana.
I love the way you weave “proximity” and “distance” . I think we dont handle either well. Either God is a buddy, a chum to pal around with, or the long haired, grumpy man in the cosmos. Your walk found a way to bring the two closer to home.
Joining you in prayer
Friends – my disqus system is once again acting up. I get your comments in my email inbox and always respond from there. So far, not one of those responses has actually shown up on the blog! Please know it is my intent to reply to every single comment I receive. Hopefully, they will drift over here soon. But it’s been 24 hours now and I’m not too hopeful.
Out of all this beauty, this is what I love the most, perhaps because I just experienced it: “relieved to not be in any way confused with the person in charge of anything whatsoever” I am sharing in that relief with you.
I like what you said, very much:
There is more than what we actually see
at any given moment in time.
And I am trusting that what I cannot
see just now
will have a beauty all its own.
It all comes down to trust. Either we do, or we don’t … I want to be numbered with those that do trust…
Amen, Jerri. I do, too.
Thank you, Linda. Appreciate those prayers.
Thank you for letting me know that, Anne.
Thank you, Glenda.
Thanks so much, Amy.
thanks, Sheila.
such truth and beauty in your words:”
There is more than what we actually see
at any given moment in time.” I don’t know what the situation is, but I am praying God will sustain and guide you and your loved one.
Hugs, Diana 🙂
“
Thanks, David. Yes, I think we always need to find ways to help us keep both truths together without falling off the fence towards either ‘buddy-ism’ or ‘deism.’ Thanks for stopping by – I always appreciate see you.
Thank you, Dolly. I appreciate your stopping by and leaving such kind words very much.