Treasures

Treasures 


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 22, 2010

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. -Proverbs 2:1-6 NIV

Waves rolling in to the beach don’t come empty handed. Coming ashore, they bring shells, seaweed, driftwood and anything else that may be stirring up in the sea. We have come to count on the incoming tide to sprinkle the shore with little ocean treasures. Stuffing our pockets with shells of all sizes is a fun past time for beach goers of all ages. Every time I go to the beach, I always find something to bring home. These gifts of the sea find their way to my windowsills, jars and shelves, to bring our family a smile, and to remind us of a most pleasant time at the beach.

Filling jars with varieties of shells is certainly a show of my ‘tangible’ treasures from the sea. But, there are many gifts we receive in life that we can’t hold and feel, yet our existence is incredibly enhanced because of them. One of them is wisdom. Wisdom is defined as ‘good sense, accumulated knowledge of life, knowing right from wrong, having good judgement and having an opinion widely held’. God has placed some wonderful people in my path over the years that have brought me great wisdom. Perhaps you feel the same way, too. I can’t seem to get enough of it. I would be most content to share an afternoon with someone who has wise knowledge and insight into the important things of life. Surprisingly though, wisdom doesn’t always come from the aged and mature, but the very young, too. It’s the clarity of mind, the simplicity and the love of God that can make a person of any age, wise to others. Wisdom and understanding go hand in hand. Nothing compares to it, not riches, wealth or possessions. The Bible is filled with it. It comes from God, but I do believe He speaks to us through people He puts in our life from time to time. I relish the days that I am in the presence of a wise person. Wise counsel and Christian compassion are given freely. Wisdom gives us new understanding and a better way to look at any situation we may face. We will be rewarded if we seek wisdom and apply it to our lives. We all need it but not everyone wants to receive it. The Bible tells us that wisdom is sweet to our soul. Proverbs 18 suggests that a fountain of wisdom is like a bubbling brook within us. A wise person always seeks understanding, instruction and knowledge. That way, they may pass it on. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV

Changing Direction

Changing Direction


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 15, 2010

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth Psalm 121:2 NLT

When I recently walked the beach, I started to look for beautiful whole shells to bring home with me. Bending down and searching closely, there were just little pieces of broken shells littering the beach. I came across a broken sand dollar but decided to let it stay in its place in the sand and continued my search for a whole one. Usually when you find one you will find more. Soon I got tired of walking in the hot summer sun and decided to change direction and turn back. My pockets were still empty. I decided I would be happy if I could find that broken sand dollar on my way back. It would indeed be a real treasure after all. Almost giving up, there it was, in the sand, practically hidden because it wasn’t gleaming white, but was deep gray with tones of brown. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but I was thrilled to take it home. It would be a reminder of my day, when I consciously decided to change direction by shifting my focus and seeing with new eyes.

I have heard it said that God can use anyone. But sometimes we are not willing to be used by Him. Too many times we are busy at home and at work, careers, caring for family, rushing to and fro. When we are super busy and wrapped up in our own world, we often miss His voice. Daily living and personal interests all take time and God is set aside for another day. It is not intentional that we push Him aside like a broken shell, it just happens. But then, our whole world can get turned upside down when unexpected things happen that threaten our comfort, peace, relationships, finances, our life. The things that were once important have lost their meaning and value in our lives. It takes having a broken spirit and the choice to change direction to be able to see things with a new set of eyes. We learn quickly in our despair that all that matters is that God hears our prayers and helps us. While He has always been there, we consciously decide to make Him and our relationship with Him a priority. It is at that very moment that God can use us the most. Our relationship with God outweighs anything else that is happening.

You don’t have to be at your lowest point for God to use you. But too often it takes being at our lowest to reach out and take His Hand. And when we do, He will help us. And He will use us. Our faith will build. We will want to share what we are learning and God will put us in places where He can use us. We can witness to family, lend a hand to a neighbor, provide encouragement to the young and old, or offer a prayer to a stranger, always sharing God and His Goodness. There is no limit to what God can do through us when we are willing to follow Him.

Rip Current

Rip Current


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 08, 2010

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. -Matthew 25:41 NIV

A rip current is often caused by a break in a sandbar, which then usually pulls the water offshore in a quick streaming path. Sometimes rip currents are temporary and more prevalent after storms, but some are permanent. With the rushing water going at a speed of 3 mph at times, the strength of a rip current can pull even a very experienced swimmer out to sea. The way to spot a rip current is to notice a change in the waves. If there is a choppy section of large waves where everything else is relatively calm, that may be a sign of this dangerous current. Water color is also an important clue to spotting rip currents. If the color of the water is much darker than the color around it, it could indicate a great depth, which could suggest a change in current. Of course, the idea is to avoid rip currents altogether, but if caught in one, the advice is not to panic, but to try to swim parallel to the shore in an effort to get out of the current.

When lifeguards and posted signs have informed beach-goers about the rip currents, sometimes swimmers continue to go in the water. It can be dangerous for everyone as the swimmer puts his life in danger and that of the lifeguard as well. The hope is that by knowing that danger is present, we should avoid it until it passes. The allure to enjoy a quick dip in the ocean is hard to resist, but to ignore the warnings is foolish.

When we live under a spirit of temptation, we find that we can quickly become out of control. Our focus can shift to finding short term pleasure, which we know doesn’t last. Then, we seek more pleasure and tempting thoughts and actions begin to dominate our minds and bodies. If we give in to it, it can cost us a lot, maybe even our life. God will strengthen us to say no. But, we must also do our part to stay on a straight and narrow path. He desires to fortify us with strong faith and strength to become overcomers, to live sensibly and to seek joy and contentment in our relationship with Him.

Bridges

Bridges


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 01, 2010

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Cor. 13:4-7

One of the things that make the Outer Banks so appealing to me is the fact it is a string of barrier islands, surrounded by water, yet life is abundant and rich in many ways despite the remoteness of it. Over the years, bridges have been built to make the connection to the mainland easy. Now, on a hot summer day, those bridges are often congested with bumper to bumper traffic for those coming and going to enjoy the fullness of the area. The residents know that living on an island can be vulnerable at times when storms come through, but each person I have ever met that was a permanent resident wouldn’t trade living on the Outer Banks for anything! It is amazing that a bridge can be the connection to a different life.

I have heard people describe the term relationship as the bridge from one heart to another. How true. I reflect on my relationships and they are all different and unique, just like the people I care about, but the intention and feeling is the same…a desire deeply rooted in my heart to touch another’s heart with love. Love is a choice, not a feeling. The guidelines for how to love is found in I Corinthians. Some people we know adopted a daughter this week. They loved her before they ever met her! Our granddaughters were not born into our family however we couldn’t love them more. They were born from our hearts!

Relationships are a two way street. Sometimes there are difficulties, silent treatment, distance and rejection. When we come across these occasions we are taught to continue to love and pray for the people we are connected to, then God sees our efforts and many times relationships are restored. It is important that we stay in prayer and focus on the good and not the bad traits of the person. Isaac Newton said “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

I am so grateful for the people in my life that keep me on course. How often to we veer off in another direction motivated by our wants and desires and make decisions that eventually make our life more difficult? Praise God for those that speak truth into my life, who are wise and can ask a simple question that causes me to stop and reflect. With love and strong ties that bind, those relationships are the ones I cherish the most.

Engineers often come to take a look at the underside of bridges, test its strength and proclaim it needs repairs or it is still a safe place to travel back and forth. Our relationships are like that. We must constantly make sure all repairs are done quickly, making sure the foundation is still secure and all surfaces are smooth and as much as it depends on us, live in love and peace.

Seaweed

Seaweed


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
August 25, 2010

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

-Psalm 30:11-12 NIV

Seaweed is found in the oceans of the world. Even though seaweed has the appearance of being plant-like, it is a marine algae and not a plant at all. There are thousands of species of seaweed that are known. They are basically red, brown or green in coloration. Seaweed is very beneficial to us with many uses ranging from food to fertilizer. But they are primarily a food source for marine animals and even provide shelter for many fish. There are underwater forests dense with seaweed that are called kelp forests. Seaweed does not have roots but instead has a special anchor called a “holdfast” that keeps it in place. Sometimes heavy wave currents can break the anchor and send the seaweed to shore. I must admit that when I walk over the sand dune to find a shoreline full of seaweed, I am not overjoyed. Mounds of drying seaweed that litters the beach is an unexpected sight and it spoils the landscape. It means we have to step over it, walk around it or try to ignore it until it rolls out to sea in the next tide.

Things happen that attempt to spoil our joy on a daily basis. Little things and big things. It is inevitable. Disappointments seem to roll in to our life at times with the swiftness of an incoming tide. Sometimes we can ignore them but sometimes not. Before long we feel overwhelmed. Don’t let the enemy win! Focusing on our problems and circumstances can cloud our vision and rob us of our joy. God gives us a choice of how to approach these ‘twists and turns’ on the journey of life. We can choose to override the problems and face each day with a positive attitude and a heart full of gratitude. Or, we can complain and murmur and sink deeper into the problem at hand, taking loved ones with us in a downward spiral. Expecting a life free from challenges and problems means living unrealistically. But what we can expect is that God will show us ways to deal with and conquer the challenges we face today and those of the future. Our God is a God that helps, encourages, teaches, guides and comforts us in all times.

School

School


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
August 18, 2010

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways –Psalm 91:11 NIV

It is that time again. Summer is coming to a close and it is time to buckle down for a new school year. The children will cross another bridge into a new adventure of learning and growing. I remember fondly the days of trying to understand my kids’ bus schedule, shopping for their back to school clothes, getting them fresh haircuts and packing their new backpacks with all the essentials.

It won’t be long and fall pumpkins will appear on doorsteps, the weather will chill and first report cards will be issued. Soon, refrigerators will be plastered with artwork from the little ones; and older students will start science projects with boiling lava that will dominate the dining room table for weeks. Chorus concerts and school plays will be added to the calendar, too. It goes by fast. W. B. Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. How true! We want our children to be on fire to learn. To press forward with enthusiasm at their new discoveries and to spark an interest that develops into a lifelong passion. We as parents must instill in our children the knowledge that school is a place of opportunity and adventure. A place to learn, discover and try new things on for size. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. –Proverbs 23:12 NIV

But it is sometimes hard to let our children leave the nest for the big world. I wish I knew then what I know now. We can pray for God’s Protection over our children all day and all night. Now not a day goes by that I don’t ask God to watch over my children and their families. Psalm 91 is a Psalm of Protection and sometimes that is what I will read as my prayer for them. It is just as important as a good breakfast, getting to school on time and doing homework….in fact, it is vital that God hears our prayers for them asking that no weapon formed against our children will prosper. There will be bumps on the knees, visits to the clinic, hurt feelings and the occasional brush with the class bully, but it is our children’s hearts and minds that we are praying for, as well as their physical protection. And we might add to our prayers a blessing for the teachers. They are truly special people with a heart for our children and education. They deserve our appreciation, gratitude and support for all they do as teachers and important role-models.

Sea Shells

Sea Shells


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
August 11, 2010

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. - Hebrews 13:16 NIV

Seashells come in a great range of size, color, texture and patterns. Some shells have features such as grooves, ribs and spines. They are made up of calcium deposits. The diet of the shell’s inhabitant also determines the color of the shell. Some shells are very rare while others are abundant. Depending on the type of water, wave action, current and water temperature available, these factors will determine what a shell collector will likely find during an early morning stroll by the sea. To find a perfectly shaped shell to tuck into my pocket for safe keeping is a joyful reward. Whelks, banded tulips, scallops and sand dollars top my list of favorites. Shells are a token of a visit to the beach. Rarely can anyone resist stooping down to collect a pocketful for the trip home. I think that shells are nature’s gifts, which are blessings from God!

Just like the many different kinds of shells that we collect on the beaches, we are very unique, too. He made us to be “one-of-a-kind” and there is something special and original about each of us. Each of us has been blessed with God-given gifts, talents and skills. But those blessings also come with a responsibility to use them and share them. Each day we can use what he has given us to make a positive impact around us. He has entrusted us with many things that we can pass down, and by doing so, our gifts can become someone else’s inheritance. And we are never too old to learn and experience new things ourselves. Maybe there is someone who is ready to share their gifts with us! God blessings are visible everywhere.

Limits

Limits


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
August 04, 2010

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -Matthew 19:26 NIV

When our children were small we definitely had to set limits for them. At the beach, they wanted to wander off and take walks. We either had to go with them or when they got older we would say, “You can walk to the pier and then turn around and come back.” We would set limits based on what we knew and what we could see. Later, they understood limits were used to define what they could and could not do. As parents, there is no limit to our love for our children and because of that, we want to steer them in a good direction and down right path that will help them and not hurt them.

Limits and boundaries are great tools in raising children, establishing order in our lives and in the world, but not in our spiritual life. Have you ever set limits on what God can do in your prayers only to find out that He blesses you more abundantly that you could imagine? Faith is allowing God to do it His Way without the limits and obstacles we place in front of Him. It is simple really. We want to always be the one behind the wheel, steering by ourselves when we should defer to Him. Sometimes I think we actually hinder ourselves with our limited thoughts when we should surrender to Him, the one who knows no limits. Each time I have done that, I have realized that God delights in surprising me and giving me so much more than I ever expected. God’s love for us is limitless and so is His grace and mercy. He wants to bless us beyond and above all our expectations.