One of my “perfect world” scenarios … grabbing a beach chair (one with multiple, reclining positions, of course !) … my beach bag with sunscreen options anywhere from 8-30 SPF (depending on how long I’m staying outside and how sunburnt I am from the day before) … a beautiful beach … and people I love to be with ! The routine is simple. We all grab our “gear” , flip – flop our way down to the beach, and circle up our beach chairs almost as if we’re ” circling up the wagons ” for a campout ! We’re all different shapes and sizes with varying backgrounds and interests and gifts but strangely enough, when you add all that together on the warm sand with the rhythm of the ocean’s waves lapping up in the background, beautiful, organic conversations just seem to flow that bring life to my soul ! Our conversations range from our children — stories of births and adoptions and seasons of parenting — to hormones and hot flashes , dreams and fears, faith and doubt, the past and the future, hurts and healing, homeschooling, public school-ing , grandbabies, navigating new seasons of life , books we’re reading, questions about life and God and “what’s that new creature we just saw crawling around in the sand?” ! As we talk, our feet give body language to our personalities and thoughts. 
Some draw a line in the sand while others shift the sand back and forth with their feet as if they’re taking a hard truth …sifting it back and forth until it’s easier to understand. Still others methodically draw in the sand …an art form of conversation’s peace. Some dig their heels in to solidify a form that will fit their unique feet and posture on any given subject. Some cover their feet and pat it down just right … just because life is good ! These are world-changers in their own circle of influence God has uniquely placed them. Some want to speak and write while another wants to plan events and create beautiful homes. Some just want to survive the season they’re called to be in right now and some just need refreshing in the middle of a season they love. Some are just starting out and some are at the half-way mark. We dream little. We dream big! We sort out life as we sort the sand beneath our feet …the waves reminding of God’s waves of mercy — new every morning — washing over us all and laying it all back right. His faithfulness and love fill in the potholes we made the day before , carrying our messes and our sins out into the deepest part of the sea …never to be brought back up again. And somehow these ordinary moments with ordinary people become holy ground — something of heaven and earth merging — and who knows what life-changing things might happen as friends sit and sift conversation together in the sand! 
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Never underestimate the power of simple, everyday conversations ! They breathe life into your soul and just enough wind for your sails to move you a little further along in life’s journey.
Let these words from Hillsong wash over you as well 🙂 …
Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will standI will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mineYour grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start nowSo I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mineSpirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my SaviorI will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mineSongwriters: JOEL HOUSTON, MATT CROCKER, SALOMON LIGHTHELM
Thank you, Joy! You have a way of putting life in perspective.
I so miss you, but I thank God for the technology to stay connected.
Love you Paula ! Thanks for your ongoing encouragement !
Would love to be a “beach-buddy” with the likes of you, sweet Joy!
In this day of digital relationships, there is no substitute for the joy and comfort of face-to-face togetherness and sharing. Missing you and our life-giving moments of seeing and hearing the heart of God in each other. XxOo
MJ …still longing for that beach trip with you too !!!! Can we plan it?? soon?? 😉 Love you !
Excellent devotion Joy! Look forward to meeting up and catching up someday soon.
Thanks for your encouragement Becky ! Let’s make plans soon !
oh Joy, reading this blog, just took me back to that sweet spot. I love the analogy of how we bring in our chairs as if we are circling our wagons. You know I believe our ancestors did that for safety reasons. And I have to say, that in that circle of friends and family I feel very safe, knowing that we are all together, to hold each other up, to encourage, to strengthen, to instruct, and most of all to love. I can never get enough of that. And for some reason the Lord just gives us a sweet taste of Heaven in that moment. Enough to get us a little further down this path of life. I would love to circle our wagons just a little more often.
Ahhh …Wendy ! It’s always good to remind ourselves of these precious moments …they get us through the “whatever-might-be-happening-now” 🙂 You’re so right — I hadn’t thought about the circle of safety analogy ! Thanks for sharing that too ! Love you friend ! Thanks for always circling with me !