Love letters in the sand

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Well the beach was calling my name, again… So of course, I answered.  We are soaking up the very last bit of summer time that we can.  During our first day on the beach, my little cousin took my hand and we took a walk.  We walked through the tide pool as I was pointing out all of the sea creatures and sea shells that had been left behind during low tide, while the rest of the ocean moved back and headed toward the horizon.

As we walked and talked, hand in hand, I noticed all of the different and unique sea shells that were in just this small sample of what were in the ocean. Every single one of them have a different purpose.  Every single one of them looked different. Some had damage from being tossed and thrown in the bustle of the waves.  Some were completely broken. Some housed creatures. Some created a place for beautiful pearls to be made.

There were also some that were hollow and empty. These are the shells that used to have something in them but whatever it was, for one reason or another, decided to wiggle out of it and find another shell.

During this precious time with my cute, sweet little cousin, something occurred to me.  Sometimes in this hard, chaotic, beautiful life, we feel like these shells. Maybe you haven’t, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think so. We feel hollow, empty, and left behind. Maybe something got taken away from you.  Maybe someone chose to walk out of your life.

But you know what happens to these shells in just a couple hours? The tides rise and pulls these lonely, empty shells back to the ocean. When they are back in the ocean another little ocean creature that is looking for a place to exist moves into the empty, what we thought of as the left behind, shells.

That is exactly what God does for us and what God has done for me so many times. When that boy that you thought the world of walks out. When your kids that have been your entire life for so long move out to begin their own lives. When those friends you’ve made so many memories with end up not really being the friends you thought they were. When you don’t get that dream job. When you are feeling empty and left behind, just hold on.

God took something out of your life to make room for something new. Even if we can’t see it, all we can see are the walls of that tide pool, God can see the whole ocean. He has better plans than we can ever even imagine. And let’s all be honest, God’s plans are way better than what we think is best. Some things are just chapters in our lives, and when that last page is turned we can be left feeling broken an empty. But you know what? At just the right time, he will bring in that one wave, to hit just right to pull you back where you need to be. It pulls you back into that ocean and He guides your steps to whatever it is to fill that emptiness.

God’s got you. He’s watching from above and can see a lot more of what is coming. He sees you where you are, He put you there. He is telling you “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10) You are not useless, and you are not left behind. You are just in a time of waiting.  He is getting that other job, group of friends, boyfriend, or anything else that you feel you are lacking ready for you also. Be patient, beautiful, it will all come together in His perfect timing.