August 15th...later that morning

Profound sadness rules my heart.  
My present reality.

As I sit on the beach, I reflect…project…reminisce.

I walked for an hour.  

Talked to God.  

I wandered and pondered all matter filling my brain.  

The tide was high.  

Overcast skies stretched out above me.  

Sand littered with rocks as I set out.  

I cursed the ground wishing I could take off my flip-flops and “do” my power walk.

  

Steam clean this body of emotional clutter.
  

But no…I had to navigate the rocks.  
The waves.  
The pebbles stuck between my toes.

Such is life.  

Walking these days.  

Navigating through the emotions.  

Finding happiness.  Maintaining joy.  

Not always easy.  It’s hard work.  

Mentally exhausting.  Physically draining.

Walking further, I came to a clearing.  

The beach opened wide to vast stretches of sand void of debris.

  

Off came the flip flops.  

But nothing happened.  

I was no longer in a need for speed.  A shift had taken place.  

Walking slowly, carefully, deliberately, studying the rocks beneath my feet.…
I began to pick up white…almost translucent…pebbles.  

Catching my eye as they stand out starkly in comparison to all the dark, non-descript rocks.  

Glistening wet from the waves...
the sun reflecting their beauty.    

I don’t know why, but I thought of them as “promise pebbles.”
  Like a metaphor for God’s promises.  

The light, standing out in the dark.  

The reassurance that God’s light
…His mighty promises 
will stand bright in the light of the Son 
keeping me safe no matter what darkness comes. 

They are a symbol of Hope.  Hope in the One.

I must slow down.  
Take in all that God wants to show me.  
Seek hope in the Hope-Giver

I must walk by faith…not by sight.

I must seek the rest of God

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10