Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 05, 2011
I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands. -Psalm 119:166 NIV
The turning tide is what comes to mind this time of year. The outgoing tide from last year takes with it the memories of the last 12 months and we await the incoming tide that brings new things. The last boxes from the Christmas decorations are packed up now and put away. The special cards and letters I have received throughout the year are tied with a pretty ribbon and put in a special floral box with other keepsakes. I have taken the time to look back and say thank you for the many blessings that helped to shape this last year. Gratefulness fills my heart as I think of all the good that came and even the difficult roads taken, which always had a lesson to learn. The tide turns, as a new year unfolds
What will the New Year bring? I think that whatever comes, we can handle it, and get through it if we are rooted and established in love. If love is at the heart of our decisions and motives, we will manage well. I think this year is the time to look forward with rising faith.
The incoming tide always brings with it some treasures and a few surprises. One time I saw a beach littered with small twigs of driftwood. Other times jelly fish would catch the tide to shore and rest at the waters edge. After storms, the ocean floor gets churned up to bring large shells to the beach. Our life is much like that incoming tide. Not sure what each day will bring but we remain hopeful that it will be more “treasure” than “trash”.
Do we have things that irritate us and cause us frustration? Oh yes, but remember that the oyster produces a beautiful pearl that was once a speck of sand that created irritation in the beginning. Rising faith is like a rising tide that can sweep over a multitude of things and with God, all things can be made new. The lyrics to a song we sang in church on Sunday were,”I will follow you forward”. In this New Year, let us follow Him forward with rising faith and hearts full of expectant hope to uncover the pearls waiting for us in 2011.
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