Walking along the beach I often am overcome by the beauty of it all. The sound of the surf as it gently moves in and out, the ocean that stretches out as far as the eye can see and the soft sand under my feet. There is just so much to be captivated by at the beach, I get caught up in the mystery and wonder of it all.
Do you do that too?
Walk along gazing out upon the grand schemes of your life and find yourself, overcome? Perhaps it’s not an overcome with the beauty of it all feeling, oh no, maybe you just feel overcome by moments of regret – dreams unfulfilled, longings unmet and hopes dashed.
You mean it’s not just me?
Often the sand of my life that I walk upon, it’s not so soft upon my feet. It’s full of broken shells, rocks and bits of sand that just irritate me as I go. I need to stop and shake the dust off, perhaps grab a pebble or two and remove the things which stop me from taking another step.
Regrets.
That’s what stops me from taking another step. We do need to keep on walking, taking another step, so that we can marvel at the beauty around us. Sometimes the ocean that stretches out for miles might look like a river to us rather than the grand expanse that it truly is. Or the sound of the surf and the oceans roar might deafen our ears to the gentle lap of the waves on our feet. We have to force ourselves – to see.
Take a moment and think right now. What is scattered across the beach in your heart? Broken relationships. Health problems. Jobs denied. Uncertainty, instability, insecurity. It’s not a very pretty sight, is it? We want to run from it, deny it – we fear it.
“There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.” 1John 4:18 Good News Translation
Fear. Regrets. They go hand in hand. Interlocking their fingers and holding us captive to the worries and doubts of life. If we fear, we don’t fully grasp love. God says there is no fear in love. None! When we live in love, experience love, focus on love – we see. Love can uncover the fears nestled in the sandbars of our heart and release them. Deep within our hearts are the things which we regret – the relationships we mourn, the innocence lost, the hopes left unfulfilled – hidden.
We must be brave. Let God uncover you.
Face your fears, search your heart- these are not acts of defeat or a life of regret. No – far from it! These are ways in which we love ourselves and love our God. Don’t remain buried any longer. Live your life.
Uncovered.
Embracing His Presence 
Dear Shell
I understand your heart completely on this issue for I have had Fm/CFS for the last eight years. I am mostly homebound and had to let go of doing quite a few things that I really loved. I am from Gonubie, South Africa and stay about 200 meters from the sea. It is amazing how some nights the sea sings a lullaby while other nights it sounds very angry!!
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia, I appreciate so your visit again! It is humbling to hear the sea roar and hear it sing. How blessed you are to live so close. I understand being housebound and letting go of many things. Peace.
Fear. Regrets. They go hand in hand. Interlocking their fingers and holding us captive to the worries and doubts of life.
Perfectly said. And the love that God calls us to enables us to unlock those fingers.
Love you, Sweet Sister.
My sweet sister, God’s love is all that unlocks those fingers, and let’s it all go. Oh, I am so blessed, so blessed to walk with you, all because of Him.