Vacation

Vacation

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass

July 26, 2011

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much Luke 16:10a NIV

The time is nearing when many families will begin coming to the beaches for their summer vacations. The beach will appear festive from the vivid colors of the umbrellas that take their place in the sand. Bright colored beach towels and plastic beach balls will also be a part of the landscape at the beach. It reminds me of travelling to the Outer Banks when we were children for our week of vacation each year. There was such anticipation and excitement that surrounded that time. We learned to find enjoyment in every day. It was a good lesson to learn at a young age. We cherished the sunny days and played hard in the surf and sand. On the rainy days, we caught rainwater with our newly purchased pails and shovels and built sandcastles, under our cottage, held high on stilts. When we had too much sun on our tender skin, the family would take a day trip in the car to see the sights. At night there were card games, skating at the roller rink or family tournaments of putt-putt. No time was wasted, yet we returned home from vacation very rested and content.

Taking what we had and making the most of it, is a philosophy that has stayed with me through the years. I have observed some people that have very little, yet they live so rich. They use their talents and skills to create a contented, charming lifestyle and God seems to bless them with more. And then there are those folks that seem to have everything, yet they are disgruntled and greedy for more. I think God would have us enjoy each and every day that He gives us. There are hidden treasures in each day and it is our job to find them. Making the most of what we are given is showing our grateful appreciation to God for the many gifts and opportunities He has given us, and continues to give us daily. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 NIV

Enjoy the View

Enjoy the View

Reflections by the Sea
Betsy Ore Glass
July 21, 2011


Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! -Psalm 66:5

How wonderful it was recently to visit the newly constructed Jennette’s Pier. Seems to me it is simply a work of art and beauty. I believe they thought of everything to make the experience enjoyable, fun and comfortable. My Mother and I found the second floor covered balcony overlooking the ocean and enjoyed a morning of sightseeing and never had to leave our chairs. We saw the length of the pier looking mighty and strong. Families taking strolls to the end of the pier were mingling with the hardy fishermen lugging coolers, tackle and bait. Off to each side on the beach were a sea of colorful umbrellas set up in the sand with families gathered in the shade to keep cool. From our vantage point, we could look towards the sound and see it in the distance. Imagine that, looking at the sea and sound in one glance! And then a magical moment came when seven or eight beautiful pelicans, forming a straight line flew at eye level past us. They were within arms reach. I fumbled with my camera to try to get the up close shot but gave up and enjoyed the view instead. I almost missed it all trying to capture it forever with my lens.

My visit to the pier was a reminder of all things I love and all of it is a gift from God. The warmth of the sun; the smell of salt air and the occasional ocean breeze that offers refreshment. The sound of the waves, one after the other as they build and crash to the shore. I know I am at the beach when I hear the noise that the seagulls make and see the perfection of a pelican glide in and out of the water. And then the surprise and delight when we see a dolphin in the distant ocean that surfaces every now and then. God gives us gifts everyday. There is beauty in everything, but it is up to us to find it. Even if we are busy with many projects and seem not to have any time for ourselves, the view is still there. What will God give you to look at today?

Holding On

Holding On


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
July 09, 2011

Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. -1 Timothy 1:19 NIV

Over the Fourth of July weekend, our son in law took us out on the boat for a wonderful day of family fun. When we drifted about and enjoyed the scenery, it was lovely and so relaxing. But when we were cruising, we had to endure other boats and their wakes, and some choppy waves now and then. “Hold on” was the warning given to us to brace ourselves. Not being a seasoned boater, I will admit to being wide-eyed a few times, but I was deemed sea-worthy at the end of the day and invited to go out again. (Okay, so I do admit that I was holding on to that boat for dear life at times and shouted up a prayer or two as needed and will probably do the same again the next time I get invited!!).

How many times do we go about our daily life, the chores, work and play and we aren’t holding on to anything that anchors us? I wouldn’t consider boating without a GPS and charts so why would we jump out in the fast lane of life without being prepared? We can all walk out the door each day with a holy hedge of protection around each of us if we just ask in prayer. Holding on to God is all we need to weather life’s storms, turbulence, high waves and more. He is our anchor at all times, not just in times of trouble or need. Holding on doesn’t mean we are immune from things happening to us or around us, but how much worse it could be if we didn’t have His Hand to hold on to. For those that keep God first, in all ways, in all things, then they must be assured that God has protection over them. Holding on to God everyday in everyway will keep us sheltered under Him.

Tide

Tide


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
July 06, 2011

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.-Psalm 17:6 NIV

If you enjoy the beach, fishing or boating it is essential to check the tide charts to see when the high and low tides are. Low tide exposes shells on the beach but it makes it difficult for boaters to navigate if the water is already shallow. Moving water from the incoming or outgoing tide can affect the days catch according to avid fishermen who surf cast or pier fish.

The tides change twice daily and that is one of the reasons the beach can look differently at the shoreline from day to day. Many times we have ups and down like a tide. Our emotions can run high and our energy runs low. Problems feel as though they are engulfing us, wave after wave and we are in a battle to stay on high ground. There is a spiritual solution to our problems. The tide of the battle changes with prayer. I can’t remember how many times things seem hopeless but when I started to pray, I could begin to see my prayers making a difference. In big things and little things. Many times, especially in my inner circle, I will hear of the difficulties and despair of family and friends. Yet when I ask if they have prayed, the answer is mostly no. Prayers at any time don’t have to be elaborate or be said with fancy words. Instead, God knows our heart and knows what we need before we ask in prayer. Simple prayers said with simple faith using simple words are all that is needed to start the tide of the battle changing.

The American Flag

The American Flag


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
June 30, 2011

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

This Fourth of July, I will hang my American flag on the front of my home as I do each year. But this year, it seems to symbolize more to me that it ever has before. Love. Love of country and love of our servicemen for their sacrifice. What is love? One dictionary describes love as “to hold someone dear, to cherish them, to feel affection.” My favorite definition is “the unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good.” There are many different kinds of love. There is fatherly love, motherly love, sisterly love, brotherly love, puppy love, romantic love, and so much more. But this is not a lesson in defining love, but instead, a reminder to strive for love, to show love, to give love, receive love and enjoy love. Everyone needs love to live. It is life to the body and the spirit, both physically and emotionally.

If we think that we should give more love to those around us, yet don’t know where to start, we could begin with God. He loves us always. We can have faith that He will fill us with love overflowing! Our hope is in Him, because when we feel alone and there is no one else for us, His love for us never waivers. It is hard to give something to someone if we don’t have it to give. But, if we enter into a new or a renewed relationship with God, we can feel and absorb His love so that you we can pass it on. If we have a hardened heart from the past, we can ask for forgiveness and He will oblige. 1 John 4:16 tells us, “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. To love, is to obey God and his commands. “Let those love now who never loved before; Let those who always loved, now love the more”-Thomas Parnell

Walking in Faith

Walking in Faith


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
June 23, 2011

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. –Romans 10:1 NIV

Early morning walks whether they are on the beach on in a neighborhood can be very special. But of course, walking the beach when possible is my favorite of all. Often I found myself talking out loud to God, as though He is walking along side of me. The warmth of the sun chases away the light chill of the morning. Pocketing a few specially selected shells for the windowsill back home makes the day memorable. Best of all, are the deep breaths from walking vigorously on the sand with lungs full of salt air. I believe all these things combined, make the start of a perfect day.

There are many “walks” in life…some physical, like walking a beach or exercising. But the one we will talk about today is the spiritual walk. Our relationship with God is our most important “walk”. We are given a choice of whether or not we choose to follow Him and His Word. Assuming we choose to walk with Him, He begins to take us down different paths and roads to teach and strengthen us. Some roads are bumpy with turmoil and tribulations and other times, we seem to glide by effortlessly. Those challenges we come up against build us up and invariably we come away having learned a new lesson. I have learned over and over these past few months that we cannot have faith and live in fear at the same time. One cancels out the other. It is very subtle how fear seems to become a stronghold in our life over small things and before you know it, we become afraid or worried and anxious about everything. Fear is a dark spirit that comes upon us when we think “what if” thoughts and fear thoughts. If we allow ourselves to remain anxious or continue to worry, the end result is living a life consumed with fear. It comes on us so quietly that we often don’t know it has happened until our entire mindset becomes based on fear. Each time I have allowed my mind to walk down the road of fear, I realized later that it was for naught. Everything worked out, but the toll of carrying worry and anxiety in my body caused my heart to beat faster, headaches to come upon me and my sleep to be interrupted. Some fears are normal, but most are not. God says that we are to trust Him. He is our Protector and Provider. He is always the Answer. Whatever fears we may be carrying today can be surrendered to God in exchange for faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word. Reading scripture that comforts and guides us into a deeper walk with God automatically diminishes our natural tendency to live in fear to free us for a life of faith.

A Father

A Father



Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
June 15, 2011

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. –Exodus 20:12 NIV

A father should be the foundation of the family on which the mother and children stand secure. That is the ideal family. But it isn’t always the case. In the last 45 years, it is reported that the United States has become the world leader in fatherless families. Single mothers do the best they can to be mother and father to their children. And grandparents stepping in and other role models to provide a father figure like coaches and teachers. Churches today recognize the need to help and provide support to families and therefore youth groups are becoming vital as a source of values and fellowship with guidance to the children. Anyone who helps to shape a child’s life in a positive way enforcing love and values is an angel on earth and we should thank them.

I will miss my father again this year. Now in heaven, or as he referred to it as "the sunny side", it seems just yesterday that I was buying that plaid short sleeve shirt and sweet card to hand deliver. I miss the smell of his after shave and the scent of his shaving cream. He laughed easily, had strong opinions and loved generously. I was blessed to have my dad for my friend. Today, at this time in my life, I have a heart full of memories to fall back on and for that I am glad. He always puts us ahead of himself. He saw to it that we took vacations, Sunday drives, ate lots of ice cream, went to ball games and he lovingly sat in the living room chair as I stumbled through my impromptu weekly piano recital, playing just for him. He loved roses and I was so proud when I painted one of his roses for my mother this past year to hang on her wall to last forever. “Your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.” ~Author Unknown

Time is fleeting. It is going by at record speed. If you have your father, don’t let a moment go by without picking up the phone or stopping by. If you are not reconciled with your father, make peace. You will be glad you did. It doesn’t matter who is at fault. Love covers over all offenses. Love conquers all.

If you are a father, count your blessings and know that God has blessed you with this most important job for the rest of your life. Be the best at it. Don’t forget to make memories because of people like me, that is all that we have now from that most important relationship.

And to all of us, never forget that our Heavenly Father is always there. We can talk to Him. Cry to Him. Rejoice and celebrate our triumphs with Him. He guides us everyday. In little ways and big ways. He is often obvious in our life and other times His voice and suggestion is very subtle…but He is always there.

On this Father’s Day, may God bless all our fathers and father figures, past, present and future

Being Guided


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
June 08, 2011

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—Proverbs 1:5 NIV

The Outer Banks offers so much to do and many times, tourists aren’t sure which way to turn. Fortunately the “locals” are a wealth of information and are always willing to share to make the vacationers visit special. When we travel we always ask where the “locals” dine and for directions to those special places that are off the beaten path. We will take any advice that we can get from anyone “in the know”. Being guided by people who know more than we do is a blessing. We would never set out in a boat without charts, or hike without a compass or travel somewhere without a map to guide us. That’s why it is important to seek information, wisdom and knowledge which give us the tools to stay the course on our journey.

Spiritual guidance is a blessing, too. When we allow ourselves to be guided by God, it is amazing the places He will take us. Sometimes we think we know all we need to know and on our own will we set out to do things, move, change jobs, make things happen. Many times it will work out and sometimes it won’t. But I can tell you from experience, when we surrender our will to God and allow Him free rein in our life, mighty things happen. Part of surrendering is to let go of worry and fret too. It is counterproductive to “give it all to God” and then take it back again with anxious thoughts.

I know too that with each new day we have to make the decision about what will guide our lives or will we allow ourselves to be guided. Make no mistake, there will be days, weeks, maybe months when absolutely nothing happens. I know because that has happened to me and I think God is off on assignment tending to other people and just hasn’t gotten to me and my life just yet. But that isn’t true even though it feels like it at times. Keeping faith strong in these quiet times when we aren’t hearing anything is vital. In our “I want it now” world, it is easy to get impatient with God’s Timing. But this I know. When we think nothing is happening, God is actually lining up things behind the scenes for us. And then one day, the blessings pour down on us and we are flooded with opportunity, blessings and more. The phone will ring and the news is what we have been waiting for. We may have a divine appointment to meet that “right” person of influence that will help us to make our dreams a reality. He guides us in many ways. But what is important is to stay with God during the drought. He has not forgotten us or forsaken us. We haven’t done anything wrong. The drought builds our faith and when God is ready, He guides us higher. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. –Psalm 27:14 NIV