God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. ~ E. Peterson’s paraphrase of Lamentations 3:25-26
As I walked on the beach I was reminded of the creative, inventive, and restorative power of God. The stars shone so brightly … no city lights to block the bright star light. The sea … powerful and tamed … no boundaries … fully contained by the trough scooped out by the hand of God. The sand, the wind … the sun … all having mighty power … soothing, calming also.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. ~Isaiah40:26
Sand, shifting slowly, counts the minutes and hours.
How many souls, distraught, weary, worn
Have found rest in those hours captured
By the sand on the shore?
Sand, rubbing against a surface, shapes edges.
How many souls, misshapen and rough
Have been delicately grounded and smoothed
By the sand on the shore?
Sand, irritating oysters, makes lovely pearls.
How many souls, trapped by ugliness
Have been released to reflect beauty
By the sand on the shore?
Sand, melting with great heat and power, forms glass.
How many souls, hidden yet seeking,
Have found clarity, transparency
By the sand on the shore?
~original, 2009
[May you] know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ~Ephesians 1:18-21