Last week, I had the joy of indulging in a personal retreat, a time of respite self-care. I stepped aside from life’s demands, normal routines, and the grief process. I ceased decluttering my home and focused on decluttering my mind. Lists, boxes, and chores were left behind as I rested, reflected, refreshed, and rebooted.
Following are seaside reflections:
Unlimited Vista
When staring at the sea, your view goes to the horizon, to the vanishing point beyond which is the unknown. An unlimited vista lends itself to unfettered thoughts, to creativity, and lofty dreams.
Often, our physical view is hampered by obstructions. In the same way, our perspective is deterred by life struggles. However, by casting aside obstacles, our point of view is refreshed, making an unlimited vista possible.
Unscheduled
One of the joys of my trip to the beach was hours spent watching instead of doing. From my vantage point, I saw children fan out from their mother, skittering sideways across the sand like baby crabs. I watched ocean foam paint the shore, then disappear. The sea’s color changed daily, sometimes hourly. Hues of gray, green, blue, and aquamarine melded one into the next. Sometimes, waves crashed; other times, the water was as still as a lake.
Sun-bathers wrestled a tent, battered by relentless wind, until it collapsed and they gave up. Walkers of various sizes and shapes traversed the shore, some striding with determination, others strolling. Sea birds squawked with raucous voice, announcing and answering in language beyond my comprehension.
Unscheduled is a glorious freedom, yet one for which we often feel guilty. Unscheduled lures us away from technology and regimen and fills us with calmness and peace. Unscheduled is acceptable and beneficial.
Un-Great Expectations
After Jim’s death, I received several beautiful orchid plants. I remember thinking this is the only time I’ll see these gorgeous blooms while these plants are in my care. For over a year, no new blooms appeared after the initial showing. I was proud of the fact that I’d kept the plants alive, but didn’t expect much beyond that. However, when I returned home from my trip last week, to my amazement, my orchids are on the cusp of blooming!
Sometimes, our expectations are too low, too tiny. We underestimate our great God, and we also underestimate ourselves. We doubt God can replace sadness with joy, anxiety with peace, fear with calmness, and hurts with healing. We forget God’s goodness and grace aren’t dependent on our efforts and we fail to give him credit and praise for any forward motion we experience.
On a scale of lowly to great, where are your expectations? Would your expectations grow with trust in God, the Creator of heaven, earth, the sea and everything in it?
“Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob. Their hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth the sea and everything in it. He remains loyal forever“ (Psalm 146:5-6 NCV).
“Eternal Lord, with Your outstretched arm and Your enormous power You created the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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