Gifts from the Sea
I/O
“There is the sea, great and broad,
In which are swarms without numbers,
Animals both small and great.”
Lessons from the ocean
The ocean has been teaching me lessons since I was a very young child. It mesmerizes me in ways difficult to put into words. I see its strength, beauty, power, and calmness below the storm whipped waves, colors, sights, sounds, smells, and how people are drawn to it like a magnet.
The Perfect Shells
As I was walking along the stretch of beach I was visiting, I was doing what I always do–collecting seashells for my shell collection, I realized something about myself. I was only looking for the perfect. I threw back into the sea all the broken, damaged, and less than perfect in my eyes shells. The still small voice asked me, “Why do you only want the perfect?” I had no answers. So, my internal dialogue began. What was I looking for? Do I do this in choosing my relationships? Can I see beauty in the broken? Is this how I am seen by others? Am I a purveyor of the perfect? Heaven forgive me!
The Shells Crushed by the Waves
On the beach, where the shore and the waves collide there is an area where the shells collect. Most are bits and pieces that in time will become part of the sand. Some of the larger shells are partially buried and as I pick them up I discover the brokenness. Isn’t this how it is when we meet new people? We see only the exposed part of their life and it is only when we “inspect” them we find all the broken and battered parts of them and decide if we want that in our life?
Broken Shell, Imperfect
My sweet Beauty tells me I collect broken people…..I wonder? Do I really? Do I really look for them or does the Lord ever so carefully insert them into my life to reveal something to me about myself He desires to mold into the truer image of Jesus? I am learning, He inserts just who I need when it is needed. Broken, battered, abused people are difficult to assimilate into life because it is MESSY! Most of the time I only tolerate others less like myself and I slowly try to distance myself from the “angst giving” relationship. But I may be missing the most profound learning experiences in the process. The beauty that comes from life’s difficult circumstances, experiences, and connections.
Giving Grace to Different
I met a friend several years ago. She brings more to the relationship than I. How is that for honesty and vulnerability? She has taught me much about the power of conversation, reaching out of one”s comfort zone, listening, and connection. We may never agree on political, religious, or moral issues. That is ok!!! Jesus did not agree with all His contemporaries either. He was gracious, kind, spoke truth in love, and let the “chips fall where they may.” He did not “browbeat” others into His agenda. He gave others the freedom to choose.
Look for Broken and Beautiful
So, today, I am going to comb the shore for the less than perfect and see what I find. I am going to intentionally look for the broken but beautiful. With different eyes, I am going to try to see the power in the process of being broken. I will sit in the quiet and listen as the waves pound the shore making new sand where children play.
Bible like the Ocean, Wade in it or Explore its Depth
It has been said, “The Bible is like the ocean. It is so shallow that toddlers may wade in it and so deep that we will never be able to explore all the secrets it holds.” I do think I discovered a little bit today. Upon closer inspection of the shells, I discover not a single one is perfect. All have imperfections: holes, broken off bits, chips, loss of its other half, bleached out color, and ridges that tell a story of times of famine and times of plenty. The seashells are just like me! My exterior shell tells a story if you are willing to take the time to listen as I share a bit at the time.
https://youtu.be/gpOXrY4BHMA The Broken Beautiful by Ellie Holcomb
Yvonne Jones
Ocean’s Call
