By the Sea, By the Sea...

Actually, it's not the sea, rather the Gulf of Mexico. It's been just a little over nine years since I last had the joy of sitting on this gorgeous beach. I had forgotten just how much I love it until I walked onto the beach this past Saturday morning. For the first hour all I could do was sit quietly and praise God for allowing me to partake of this part of His glorious creation.

We had just been talking in the car on the way down here about how really weird it is that some people could actually believe that all of this just happens. Just one look at the world around me proves that an intelligent, loving Being created all this and then gave it to us to enjoy.

Sitting on the beach with the waves washing against the shore totally soothes my soul. In the hours I have been spending on the beach this week, I have allowed my thoughts to wander. One of the questions that has been flitting into my mind all weeks is whether perhaps my mansion in heaven could be on the beach. Just in case, I have found one I think would do.

It doesn't really have to be this big. A smaller one would be just fine.

We are so blessed to have generous friends who will share their lovely beach getaway with us. This has been a week of lots of laughing, sharing memories, and enjoying the gift of friendship we share with this dear couple. We've known each other since we were young married couples raising our children on teachers' salaries. Now, here we are on the "other side", marvelling at how God has blessed us.

Besides pondering the logistics of heaven, sitting on the beach has also allowed me lots of time to read. I have just finished Carol Kent's "A New Kind of Normal". What a blessing it has been to my soul. I had previously read "Laying Isaac Down". Both of these books have encouraged and enlightened me. I am reminded, once again, that "God is not through with me yet".

As our last day here comes to a close, I'm being called to appetizers on the deck and then a nice dinner by the water. As I reflect on these past few days, I can only hope that it won't be another nine years before I return.