Here’s the thing.
I really expected to come down to the beach and get some clarity about a big decision that I have to make.
I expected to sit on the balcony, read my Bible, look out at the water, and suddenly, clearly, KNOW THE ANSWER.
And frankly, I thought on the drive down here that if the whole clarity thing could happen within, say, the first twelve hours of the trip, then that would be just delightful and in turn leave me more time for figuring out clever ways to use my beach towel to conceal any unsightly flab.
Needless to say, things didn’t work out quite like I planned. In fact, it’s looking like I’ll be leaving the beach tomorrow without having made any sort of decision at all. Without having discovered the answer. Without knowing what in the world I’m going to do.
But memories? Oh, I have those in spades.
And if you asked me for my favorite memory, I’d have to give you a list.
It was standing on the edge of the Gulf with the boy and letting icy cold water lap against our knees. It was sitting in the middle of the beach and filling up a big red bucket a teaspoon of sand at the time (or so it seemed). It was pulling Alex through the pool like a tugboat and assuring him that I would never, ever let go. It was helping him remember how to blow bubbles in the water. It was catching him as he jumped off the side of the pool four or seventy nine times in a row. And celebrating with him over and over again.
It was sitting on the edge of the pool with D., watching Alex play with a little plastic helicopter that he brought from home. He would fill it up with water, then empty it out, then fill it up, then empty it out – this process went on for at least half an hour. And about once a minute, he’d look up at us, smile so big that his eyes became slits, and then go back to the critical business of filling up the helicopter all over again.
Without a doubt, it was one of the sweetest times of my whole life.
So while I’ll leave this place tomorrow with more questions than answers, I have been so deeply reminded about what matters most that tears sting my eyes even as I type this.
Because to sit smack dab in the middle of the absolute magnificence of God’s creation with my husband and my child for the last four days – to talk and laugh and sing and swim and play and snuggle – well, it kind of makes the questions fall away.
And yes, I know that reality will start to creep in again tomorrow. I know that the closer I get to home, the more real life will start to stomp its feet and demand that I pay attention.
But you know what? Even though I may not have the answer I was hoping to have by the end of this trip, I have so much more.
And for now, that’s all the clarity I need.
Lovely! We’re heading to the beach soon ourselves…
Mary
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
You are so incredible to share these special, intimate times with us.
We are blessed.
Awww, these pictures are amazing, but that last one just grabs my heart. Love his board shorts. Glad you had such a wonderful time even if God didn’t write the answer you needed in the sand. May His Hand guide your choice when it comes time to make it.
We have a big decision on the horizon as well.
Beautifully written!!! Glad to see y’all had a good time!!! I hope to be there soon…….we need a vacation!
Have a safe trip home!!!
How is it that you can give me chills from writing a story about the warm, sunny beach? My word you are so eloquent.
I know God will bless you for looking past having to know the answers for the future because you choose to love and appreciate the wonderful present. Glad you had such a great vacation with your boys. :)
Love it. Preach it, Boo.
Sometimes “real life” keeps us so caught up in the urgent, that we don’t have time enough for the important. That’s what vacation is all about. Glad you enjoyed your time with your family at the beach. The questions will resolve themselves–they always do!
You do have clarity, just not the kind you wanted. The answer will come. Or maybe it won’t and you will make what seems like the wrong answer, but it will end up being the right one. The most important thing is that you are listening to God. Many people just ask for things and don’t listen.
What gorgeous pictures, and even more gorgeous memories! And treasures to keep with you as you return to reality.
I feel ya, Boomama! I’ve been there, and you put your finger right on it.
Have a safe trip home!
Love this. You made me cry. It’ll come, my friend. It will come.
Those pictures and your memories are priceless.
Clarity didn’t come knocking, but I’m thinking REAL perspective did, friend. thanks for sharing!
Sounds like you might just be sittin’ in the Belly of a Whale!! When God seems silent and unseen he is most assuredly working to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY MORE than you could ever ask or imagine. And that’s a promise ’cause he dearly loves you.
Imagine the care you take in raising Alex and planning for his life – how much more is your Heavenly father caring… and yes, planning for you.
When my kids are hoping for something special from me so many times I have to settle them down and ask them to, yes, wait. Sometimes I think, “If only they knew what was in store…”
And. If the waiting is as good as it was this week for you – I’d say you are in a terrific place.
You are often in my prayers these days.
Cheryl…from the belly of the whale…
i ditto what phyllis said (besides, I wouldn’t have said it as well as her anyway…)
blessings,
karla
Beautiful post. I like what every one eles said. Do you really not have the answer though? What a wonderful gift of a vacation you were given.
Love, love LOVE the photos! So happy for you to have the time with your precious men.
Beautiful. And wonderful photos, too!
God gave your a beautiful place in which to “be still and know.” You have blessed us with your abundant overflow of peach from your time away. Thank you, ma’am.
What lovely photos. Glad you had a good time. We’re heading to the NC coast today for 10 days and I’m so ready for a little break.
Hope you find the peace regarding the decision you need :)
Your beautiful photos just make me sigh. What a blessing this little escape has been for you and your guys.
I’ve found that when I have a really big decision to make, I start flooding all my prayers with asking God to give me an answer, to tell me what He wants me to do.
And then what happens is this:
I make seeking an answer bigger than seeking Him.
And so then I take a break from asking Him and spend some time ignoring my ‘needed-decision’ and I worship Him.
And then I discover there is so much more that He wants to talk to me about, than just the answer I was wanting.
And His answer to my first question always eventually comes.
Hope this makes sense. As a mommy I didn’t get much sleep last night…
Blessings on you Boomama.
Chris from Canada
Awesome, just awesome. That’s all I have to say. :) (Except that I’m going to see Beth Moore tonight and I’m SOOOOOOOOOOO excited!) – And getting more so by the minute! And THAT’s all I have to say.
I’m there, doing that. Waiting, I mean. Not the beach.
Check this out: Isaiah 64:4
I’ll let you look it up, ’cause God may need you to see a few “before and after” verses.
That was so beautifally said……. I’m glad your time there was good
Love the pictures. It sounds like you have had a wonderful, relaxing vacation. I have to admit, I’m a tad jealous :)
I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again…Boomama–you rock!
Normally, you make me laugh…today, you just made me sigh and realize just how much God loves us.
Prayin’ for your big decision…
Sometimes, we need to be quiet. I think that it what you did this week. It will come.
Just like A filling his bucket a teaspoon at a time. It still filled up, better and with more memories because the journey was longer.
Love you.
You are so precious. I love hearing your heart. The Lord is so faithful to lead us along… We are in process of making some really big decisions too, and we desperately need the Father’s wisdom. One thing I have learned in the waiting is if we have an ear to hear His will…He has a heart to reveal it. If we are not getting it, then obviously on God’s time table its not time yet. I am continually reminded of Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” :)
Beautiful! I love time away! It does indeed bring us back to what is important.
More goosebumps from these gorgeous pictures and your wonderful words. And you know, The Answer will find its way to you wherever you are. You thought it would find you on a sandy white beach, but maybe it’s actually lurking in your laundry room!
I do hope it finds you soon, and I thank you again for sharing your vacation with us… I can almost hear the waves crashing from here!
Now I would like to rent a place like that to stay for a week–what a gorgeous view of the beach and the white sand and the gorgeous waves….sign me up!!!!
Thanks for sharing…glad you had some fabulous family time—there’s nothing better!
Don’t ya wish you could just stay a little longer? That’s what I always think when it’s time to go home.
And you’re right – real life has a way of stomping around demanding you tend to this-n-that.
Welcome home!
Lovely words, thoughts and photos. Your answer will come, keep the faith.
Saying a prayer for you that you soon receive the peace that comes from a God sought answer!
So, glad you had a wonderful week.
I often head out of town with those kinds of Big Decisions hanging over my head. I don’t know why the timing is like that, but it often is.
And getting out of town sometimes helps me get a little perspective and some answers. Equally important, however, I head home like you: refreshed, full of love for my family, a head (and camera) full of memories–regardless of whether or not I receive clarity.
I end up back home continuing to ask, “Clarity? Please??” But at least I do so with a rested spirit and slightly more tanned complexion.
Beautiful post!!
Proverbs 11:14 says “When there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” I have been struggling with huge decisions that will affect the future of our family, and I have found that seeking godly counsel is one of the best ways to make good decisions. “Listening to the Lord” can be quite confusing, and though you may not get the advice you want, a wise woman seeks counsel.