A Prayerful Path

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. –Psalm 17:6 NIV

The tourists are heading back home, the beach is less crowded and the school busses are running again. Backpacks are filled to overflowing and children are attempting to put summer fun behind them as they prepare for another school year. School bells are ringing in our family, too. My 12 year old granddaughter is going to middle school this year. We talked about it and she said she was a little apprehensive at the prospect of changing classes and learning her way around a new school. It turns out that she did just fine and her first day built a lot of confidence and self-esteem. I challenged her to reach out to be friendly to anyone she saw eating alone in the cafeteria. She called me to say that she and some of her girlfriends took their lunch trays over to a girl named Emily who was sitting by herself. Before their lunch was over, they had all made friends! What a great story! I told her how proud of her I was, that she was thoughtful and kind and to look for opportunities again to show compassion. (I was secretly wondering if Emily had sent up a prayer too not to have to sit alone at lunch.) A great beginning! Our prayers were answered for a smooth transition for the start of the school year.

Seems God was busy answering many prayers this week in our family. Our son called to say his riding lawn mower had spit and sputtered black smoke and then stopped completely. He checked the engine and it was out of oil. Not good! It looked like it was all over for the mower. Not wanting the expense to fix or replace the engine, and watching the grass grow taller by the minute, I could hear his frustration over the phone and then I asked him if we could pray. At that moment, I began praying and I just felt God would use this situation to touch my son. A few minutes later we received a phone call from our son and yes, God came through. What a faith builder! The mower worked perfectly, as though nothing had ever been wrong! He thanked me and I said, no, thank God. And so we thanked Him together.

Isn’t it great when God touches our children and grandchildren! I think any kind of touch from God just gives them such hope and it increases their faith. It reminds them that they are never alone. As parents, it is our job to not only prepare our children to be responsible and capable, but to be kind and thoughtful as well. But most importantly is their spiritual development. We cannot always be there for them to help fight their battles, to resist temptation or to choose the right path. Hopefully, our children will grow to have a spiritual compass rooted in a deep faith that will guide them. Mostly, our children follow by our example. Prayer is everything! Just a simple prayer at the door in the morning before they leave for the bus stop or over the phone, long distance, to ask God’s favor and protection over them is enough. And that they would walk the right path with every step. If we stand in the gap for them now as their faith grows, then they will stand in the gap for us. Then our families can be knit together in prayer, which is one of the greatest single things we can do with and for our loved ones.

Standing on Higher Ground

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

Then the Lord said to him, Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. Acts 7:33 NIV

When we were little kids, we were so excited at the thought of climbing to the top of the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge. The dunes seemed taller back then and maybe they were. Even so today, I marvel at the size of the dunes and the amount of sand that is there now and how it changes shape in the currents of the wind. Once, when I was 7 or 8 years of age, I remember that we climbed to the top of Jockey’s Ridge to watch fireworks. On our way up, we would sink in the sand up to our knees and try to wriggle free. I was scared to walk up to the top by myself and made sure my Dad was nearby to pull me up if I started to sink in the soft sand. Once at the top of the dunes, there was an amazing breeze. We were glad that we had brought towels to sit on after the long walk up. But, those towels were used instead to wrap around us to keep off the chill of the night air and hide from the sting of the blowing sand. Such good times!

This week, a song that we sing in church has been simmering in my heart. It’s called “Still Standing”. This contemporary tune has great lyrics….”On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, but by the grace of God, I’m still standing”. I’ve had a chance this year to reflect on many things. The comings and goings of ones I have loved, the changing tide of some relationships and more. But God wants to remind me that I am still standing. Nothing can knock me down. I have His Favor and His Hand is just within reach at all times to catch me when I feel myself sinking. And I am not special. God will do it for you, too. He is there for all of us!

The Back Porch

-Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

August 12, 2009

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. -1 Timothy 6:17 NIV

I long to have an old fashioned back porch, but in the days of decks and patio’s, many of the newer homes don’t have them anymore. I think by eliminating the concept of the back porch, we have lost a bit of Americana. My husband’s grandmother, who lived in a small eastern North Carolina town, had a back porch and it was the entrance that friends and family used. The sound of the squeaky screened door swinging open announced one’s arrival. An old discarded kitchen table was used to hold the overflow of canned vegetables when the kitchen couldn’t store any more. We might even see a pile of greens from the garden, probably collards, sitting on a chair waiting to be taken in and cleaned for Sunday dinner. My grandmother’s back porch at the beach was similar, yet there were differences. Beside her back door were pails with newly picked shells and pieces of driftwood for the day’s fire. On the ledges of the porch sat larger shells, bottles that had washed up from the sea and potted plants that had might be shedding too many leaves to stay inside. Leaning up against the wall would be a crab net and a fishing rod or two for handy access up the path to the beach. Both grandmothers were very different and both also left a positive, loving indelible mark on the lives they touched. Neither one of them was wealthy or had riches, but they did have God as the center of their life and they felt that was all the riches they needed.

God gives us the freedom to celebrate our individuality and to plot our course in life, with His help, of course. What we do with our life, our space is largely left up to us. Things will influence us, but in the end, we are allowed the gift of Free Will, and have many choices in front of us no matter what our age is. Many people think that walking with God means to give up their personality, become serious and no longer partake in things that bring enjoyment, but that is not true. We can still serve a gracious God and place Him first in all we do and find contentment and enjoyment in our daily lives, too. He delights in the desires of our heart and is happy when we are happy. We can have rich lives in a variety of different ways and He will anoint us if what we do is in His Will. If we had a back porch, what would it look like? What would it say about us? Are we rich in all the right things?

Sand Fences

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

August 05, 2009

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. –Romans 16:17

Sand fences have been enormously helpful in dividing land and building up dunes. The rickety weathered pickets that are held together with thin wire, comes in large rolls to be stretched out and stuck in the sand. Sand fences don’t look particularly sturdy, but do a wonderful job nonetheless. I’ve captured many photographs of these fences at the beach. In my home, is one wall of framed photos of just sand fences. They captivate me, each with their own story to tell and uniqueness. Not only are the fences effective, but they add texture to the scenery and provide many perches for birds. When storms come and cause the sea to rise, often the fences lose their footing and get washed out, littering the beach with broken pickets. Once gathered, these scraps of weathered wood make nice kindling to start a fire for cool evenings.

Fences can be a really good thing. With the arrival of our little puppy, my husband had to walk the wooden fence of our property to close up remaining holes. Yesterday we realized we missed a place and Barney was already on top it in great thought as to how to make his escape. So once again, out came the hammer and nails and everything was secured in place. If he would only gain another pound or two, we wouldn’t have to worry about him slipping through!

Everywhere we turn, fences and boundaries surround us, whether real or emotional. It can keep us in or keep us out, depending on what side of the fence we choose. It can be comforting at times being inside the fence corralled with everyone else in thought and deed. But God teaches us that some situations and even some people are not good for us. Remember being told as a child, “Don’t follow the crowd”? Our parents meant for us not to succumb to peer pressure. We can get caught up in taking sides on issues, causing great and long lasting divisions and strife. There is never a good time to harbor and nurture these emotional rifts. Stepping away from conflict has great merit. It is up to God to help us discern what side of the fence to be on when we are given a choice. He desires for us to seek Him in prayerful guidance.

July

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

July 30, 2009

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near -Mark 13:28 NIV

The scenes of summer are everywhere. Lots of traffic converging to the Outer Banks as vacationers arrive with great anticipation. Vegetable stands, one after the other, line the journey to the shore with some of the first harvests of the season, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes. Rows of colorful umbrellas dot the beach for as far as the eye can see. Brand-new beach towels hang over the rails of rental cottages along the Beach Road. Where the full time residents live, the landscaping is manicured with splashes of color from beds of daisies, day-lilies and the occasional hydrangea, my favorite. Some driveways are bordered with shells collected from the winter, along with piles of gray conchs casually placed at the base of brightly painted “beachy” mailbox posts. Backyard grills come alive with the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers that linger in the early evening air. Neighbors, families and friends gather for annual crab feasts and corn on the cob, while catching up with each other. Summer is the time of year when everything seems to come together.

Surely, I am not the only one that feels so carefree and happy at the beach. The salt air seems to wash away my problems and concerns. The sand between my toes doesn’t annoy me…instead it lets me know I am “home”. The smell of suntan lotion evokes many childhood memories. Perhaps my favorite summer memory is recalling my grandmother’s fig preserves with lemon. Only she could make it her own special way, from her small tree in the backyard, surrounded by a single row of bricks. I love July. The sky is still blue with wispy clouds circling overhead before the hazy gray days of August rolls in. I cannot bear to be indoors this time of year. I don’t want to miss any of God’s beauty and creativity. I will praise Him for these beautiful and bountiful blessings, the sights and sounds of summer.

The Conch Shell

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

July 30, 2009

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. -I Peter 3:4 NIV

A conch is a unique mollusk having a spiral shell that can become quite large. There are many different kinds of conchs, such as Fighting, Horse and Queen Conchs. It is not uncommon to find conch shells washed up on the shore of the Outer Banks. The animal that lives inside the shell is often eaten both raw and cooked, but it is likely that in our area, these spiral heavy shells have lost their inhabitants before we find them ashore. The beautiful shell of the Queen Conch is often used in crafting cameos in Europe. Also, the shell can be played as a musical instrument even though it has no mouthpiece. Not surprising, it has also served as a hand weapon. The conch shell is also religiously symbolic. For instance, the Hindu’s believe it represents life as it comes from out of the life-giving waters. But for the rest of us, sometimes it just simply represents the largest shell in our collection. To find a conch shell off the North Carolina coast is a treat for the shell collector. It won’t be shiny and pink as though it came from a shell shop, but instead, it most likely is gray, dull and weathered. Nonetheless, it is a prize because of its size and uniqueness.

We are like shells too. Our outer covering often reflects the life we live on the inside. But, there are exceptions. There is so much focus today on outward appearance and very little about developing our core, which is our values, morals and purpose. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is wisdom. It is not learned and developed by focusing on ourselves or our exterior shell. Instead, it is founded on the lessons we have learned when we step outside our shell to help others, to do good deeds, to be a good listener, to lend a helping hand, and more. God blesses us with wisdom as we grow in our spiritual walk and are focused on the right things. There are many people today that are empty shells. There is no substance on the inside of them because their focus is mainly on the outside. They look nice and make a pleasant presentation, but beyond that, there is very little there. On the other hand, some of the most beautiful, wisdom-filled people I have met had faces deeply lined from life’s journey and rough hands from hard work and yet their eyes twinkle from inner joy and contentedness. That is real beauty! What is our shell saying about us? When others see us do they see someone with a heart for God and a willingness to serve? God knows our inner self. We can’t hide anything from His sight. He knows our heart. If we don’t like what we see in ourselves, all we have to do is to ask Him to shape us with a new heart, a new attitude and a new purpose. If we are willing, He is willing.

Produce Stands

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

July 22, 2009

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. -Matthew 7:20 NIV

I love travelling to the Outer Banks from Virginia where so many fruit stands can be found. Some fruit and vegetable stands are often simple in structure with dirt floors and plywood shutters than lock into place in the off- season. Others are quite elaborate with many signs posted miles ahead as enticement to select their location. Over the years we have tried many of the different stands and all are good. Each one is unique with too many good things to be able to pick a favorite. Some farm stand owners have added baked goods, nuts and jams, too and like my Daddy used to say, “We don’t want to slight anyone,” so it would be typical for us to stop at two or three produce stands during our summer trips to the beach many years ago. There is just something special about buying farm fresh vegetables and tree-ripened fruit! The flavors of the food are so intense and the fruits are extra juicy. We loved July, especially for the peaches, and if we were lucky, we could talk someone into making some homemade peachy vanilla ice cream for us. It was declared a special treat if it was dipped in cones that would end up dripping down our elbow in the summer heat.

The Bible talks of fruit on more than one occasion. The reference that I like the best is being able to tell what a person is all about by the fruit they produce. To simplify it, a good tree produces good fruit most of the time and a bad and diseased tree produces bad fruit. Both trees may look the same, but it is what is happening on the inside that we cannot see. The same applies to people. It is soul-filling to spend time with a person that is full of encouragement, love and support with every word they dispense. We are drawn to those people that have a way of bringing out the best in us. In contrast, have you ever seen someone all dressed up in the finest clothing, shiniest shoes and coiffed hair and your impression was very good? And then they spoke and their words reflected the opposite of their pristine appearance. The true essence of what is within is not always visible, but it will be eventually illuminated. In Galatians 5:22 we are told what good fruit is. In everything we do, think and become, we should be rooted in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. Then everyone will want to share in our fruit and that is how we teach and pass it on.

Thunderstorm

Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass

July 14, 2009

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. –Matthew 6:4 NIV

When the weather is hot and the air humid, thunderstorms are likely to occur. They are caused when the warm air rises and then cools. That is what produces the thunderclouds. Within these clouds there is rapid air movement which causes water and ice to bump against each other. A static electrical charge is released and that energy results in the form of lightening and thunder. On the Outer Banks, I think an afternoon thunderstorm is actually a nice welcome at times. It cools a hot day, the rain washes away the days’ footprints in the sand and often times, when the storm is over, the summer haze is blown away with the wind to reveal a cloudless blue sky.
Storms are not always welcome. Some people feel fear and anxiety with an approaching storm. But fear and anxiety do nothing to help us…we can’t chase the storm away with our fear and worry. No, we just have to sit it out. We know to protect ourselves and get out of its’ path. To take shelter and to”batten down the hatches” as they say.

In our lives, we must also weather storms. Not the ones that come in the summer afternoon on a hot and humid day, but the emotional storms that can wreak havoc on our relationships. Sometimes we don’t see these types of storms brewing. But over time, circumstances can cause misunderstandings, disagreements and offenses to add up, which can be stronger and more electrically charged than any thunderstorm Mother Nature can hurl at us. The things that we can control and make right, we should do. When we are at the receiving end of someone’s unloving behavior towards us, we can do nothing more than weather the storm till it blows over… and pray, of course. The Bible says that love covers over all offenses. So when it depends on us, we should always choose love, not hate and pray for the wind to change direction. “I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” by Louisa May Alcott.