Changing Shape

As the island empties in the growing darkness of autumn, my mind considers other seashores, other ages, other lives. I think about the Sea of Galilee and what it must have been like for Christ to walk beside the sea in those days. We’re told he went up into the hills to pray and perhaps to gaze at the water. When he entered a boat to preach to the crowd that pressed against him, perhaps he was already familiar with the rocking of the waves, balancing himself so he wouldn’t fall. He must have felt comfortable with fishermen, able to approach and chat with them, connecting with them enough to make several his disciples. Boats were his transportation in many instances, taking him to new preaching healing sites. It was in a boat that his power to calm a storm was displayed and from a boat he guided Peter to walk on the water. Much of Christ’s life centered on the sea and water was often used as a metaphor for his presence. As I walk beside the sea, dear Lord, help me draw close to you; help me feel your presence as those people did so long ago, and help me find your place in my life today. Amen.

Tomorrow is a “big town” shopping day. We will make the nearly 200 mile round trip foray into the city to stock up on groceries and supplies that are difficult to find on the island. We leave early in the morning and return late afternoon, having visited as many stores as possible, running through the items on our list. Each day I pray I will be granted “my daily bread”, but island life means sometimes I have to freeze next week’s loaf as well. Lacking an additional freezer, I must plan carefully for supplies so I’ll have ingredients on hand when I prepare a meal. I’m afraid I spend less time organizing my emotional survival than I do my day-to-day physical well-being, as though it’s less important or pressing. I need help keeping myself aware that food involves not only physical nutrition but also spiritual nutrition. Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. Do I work as hard to have that Blessed Loaf as I do my daily whole wheat loaf? How much time and effort do I make insuring that my relationship with God is also rich and wholesome? Please help me, Lord, use even my idle travel time to be in communion with you, making my requests known to you and thanking you for your bounty in my life. Amen.

The sun sparkled and danced on the water this morning, making a pattern of diamonds almost too bright for me to watch.  As I walked on the beach, my perspective changed, and yet from every angle the sun’s water dance was the same, flashing brilliance at me as I moved beside the sea.  How blessed I am!  No matter what I do or how I move, I am enfolded in God’s love just as the sun’s reflection on the water stays with me. Like a diamond studded wrap, it stretches out before me in good times so I can celebrate and appreciate its beauty.  When hard times come, the sun’s water dance is draped over me, wrapping and comforting me with its security.  Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love which lets me share your beauty, comforting me when I am troubled.  May my life reflect the brilliance of your dancing sunlit patterns to all whom I meet. Amen.