God’s grace sometimes shows up in unexpected ways…

 

… like a beach trip that could only be ordained by Him and could only happen because of the generosity of several people who allowed Him to flow through them. You know who you are. Thank you. 

Eleventh Heaven is the cottage style beach house we stayed in. If you know me at all you know that there’s no other place I’d rather be, no other house I’d rather have. God’s grace. Thank you, Lord.

A friendship was cemented and two new bonds made. Only God. He alone could ordain such friendships. I’m forever blessed by these precious women and forever grateful. Amazing grace.

 

 

It’s not often that the opportunity arises to leave your cares behind and bask in the beauty of the ocean. It’s rare that a woman could join a trip with three other women—two of which she’d never met—and form a bond right away as if they’d been friends for life. Only He could do this.

There’s just something about the ocean that calms my soul. Life’s circumstances can be crushing at times, threaten to suck the very life out of us. This is where I was before this trip. But a loving God sent three beautiful women and the beauty of the ocean to remind me of His unfailing love and His great grace was inserted *here*…

 

The current was strong and the waves amazing. Right there in the ocean, braving the waves with these women I heard the words of Need to Breathe in Something Beautiful…

And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can’t be sure when it will subside
So I won’t leave your side, no I can’t leave your side.

 


I watched these women as they walked ahead of me through the sand. And I thought about all of the details that went into this trip. He chose each of us specifically to laugh together, cry together {well some of us} and just about laugh until we cried. If He would take such detail to arrange this, all of this, surely He cares about those things we left behind, the people we left behind. We can trust Him. Circumstances don’t change who He is.

 

We soaked up the sun and I learned a valuable lesson: always, always read prescription warning labels thoroughly. Because the words ”AVOID PROLONGED OR EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO DIRECT AND/OR ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICATION’ can really come in handy on a beach trip. On the bright side I now know what my thin lips would look like plumped up with collagen. Aside from the swelling I was left with bright red sunburned lips that are still red and sore and will likely peel and, in addition, the threat of a fever blister. Good times. Although I am the oldest of these women and am, in fact, a grandmother, I hadn’t prepared to be the “Maw Maw” of the group. Maw Maw had to pack it in early on day two of sun because her hands and feet were having a reaction. Those prescription labels, they don’t lie.

In just a few short days I learned much about and from these women. Candy kept us laughing over life’s stories that aren’t quite as funny when you’re walking them out. I’d say that about sums her up. She has an amazing ability to rise above life’s circumstances and keep on smiling and laughing. Terri listened patiently, really listened, to each of us women. It’s a difficult task for women to be good listeners in the midst of their own struggles. I saw the love of Daddy God through Terri. No matter what the topic she listened, really listened. I left her presence feeling that she genuinely cared. Amanda’s heart of worship is infectious and her voice is amazing. I felt like a little kid at times wanting to follow her around and listen to her sing praises to the Most High. There’s nothing like singing songs of praise in the middle of the ocean’s insane waves with a Sister in Christ. Her smile could light up a room. “A ray of sunshine,” Candy calls her. And it’s so true.

Developing relationships with these women reminds me of the importance of community and relationships. And these women—they are all pretty amazing. Even if they did send me out as a lamb among wolves, or a Tiger among Gators…

 

So naive, I happily volunteered to march right into that store on Florida Gator territory donning my LSU jersey on LSU vs Florida game day. AFTER the game. Yea. No wonder they didn’t want to volunteer for that job. All eyes were on me when I walked in that convenience store. A lady grabbed her little girl close and I could almost hear her thoughts, ‘look away!’ Good times.

It’s easy to lay your cares down while staring into the vast expanse of the ocean and digging your toes into smooth white sand. If you’re not careful you’ll return to reality feeling almost guilty because, well, those cares you left behind are still waiting and you’re just not sure you’re ready. But I’ve learned these past few days back to reality that I have a choice. If He was in the very details of this amazing trip is He not in the details of my daily life? I have a choice to make.

Above the noise of life’s struggles and the loud cry of the aches in my heart, if I will listen, be still and listen… I can hear Him still singing over me…

 

[youtube xjt3Yd-CxFg]