Last year, at this time I sat on this beach in Kauai. Poipu is a favorite beach and we were thrilled to see the monk seals sunning themselves. Do you see that line of rocks that weaves from the beach to the sand bar? That’s what’s left after the waves slammed in from both sides and obliterated the sandy path to that island.
My friend told me about how the beach had changed over time. They’ve been coming here for years and loved to go walking out on the sandbar that connected the sandy outcrop of rocks to the mainland. The pictures were the best from that spot and the currents would flow from two different directions only to be stopped by the barrier of sand. The snorkeling was the best in that niche of ocean corralled in the hollow. Brightly colored fish, sea turtles, monk seals swam closely by.
On one visit several years ago, following a storm, the last bit of the sandbar get washed away by the riptide. Gone were the pictures easily captured at the secluded reef. To get to the reef, you now have to walk through the jagged rocks below while the waves mercilessly come in causing you to stumble. It was such a struggle that my friend and I ended up holding hands as we navigated the swirling water. We finally made it and gazed upon sea urchins, tiny fish, and crabs that darted in and out of the crevices. What a glorious site
Life is a beach. I know that sounds cliche, but every element at the beach is in constant change. The sand is never in the same place. No wave is alike. Sunsets are dependent on cloudless skies to be viewed in their glory.
Sitting on that beach got me thinking about change and how it sometimes comes upon us slowly as the years go by, and sometimes by surprise. Either way, life is never quite the same. In a single visit to the beach the waves can change from their gentle roll into pounding surf. Powerful waves come slamming in from their opposite currents to create marvelous spectacles as they explode in the air. Huge sprays of water and rip currents create ever changing settings.
Pictures do not do justice to the ever-changing beauty. The best photographers get close. A photographer at a street fair told us, it took him going to the same beach every day for two years to get that one picture he’d imagined in his head, while another photo was captured quite accidentally. This was our picture looking out from that sand bar. Breathtaking! I’d pack my bags right now to go back there! In this trip of a lifetime, time seemed to stand still and I just tried to soak in as much as I could because as hard as we tried to capture the colors of the water and the vast beauty around us, the shortcomings of our cameras wouldn’t allow it.
Just like that camera, I struggle with situations daily that leave me feeling unfulfilled in my expectations. Some friends try to comfort us, but may have truly no understanding about how life can hurt so bad some days. They love us and mean well, but they lack a similar experience.
I find myself clinging to friends and family who have shared their souls with me. The transparency of confidants gives more comfort than I thought I would ever need. People who walk hand in hand through the rip current so that neither gets pulled under. And deep knowing happens. And bonds are forged. And grieving is shared. And healing follows.
A new season eventually dawns. A season of rest, following the difficult change. Rest that soothes the hurts and equips us to be transparent with other people in our lives as change is inevitable. As Lauren Daigle sings, “…it’s inevitable…ever running to what I can’t see, fighting out all my unbelief. Father even then my song will be, I know you will always carry me.”
True friends are a priceless treasure. But God… He’s the one who ordains it all. He is the giver of life and friends. He is the maker of all that is beautiful. He is the One who orders the waves. He is the one who ushers in the calm so that we can see He had never left. His timing is perfect, whether or not we like how things change.
Meandering walks among the tide pools and taking pictures few will ever have the privilege of taking is a reminder that God is in the details. He has equipped us to go forth and be brave as we walk in His power. And on those days when the waves threaten to overpower me, He will carry me. He will carry you, too. Ask and you will receive. You are never alone.
Remembering the days we laughed and Had the best fun ever. 2 weeks of exploring and catching all Gods beauty! Best friends forever. #tattoosisters
I love you my sweet bestie!!! So many more adventures to find. But God…