More than 18 years ago, God opened a door for our family to come to a beautiful island in
North Carolina annually. Our three
children at the time were age 10 and under. Today they are grown and joined by their younger
sister. For years, sometimes twice
a year, we have enjoyed this remarkable place.
This
week I had the privilege of introducing our leadership team from Northside to
this place. We are seeking the
Lord together for the coming months and years. God is working in our midst and I am very grateful.
Today
during a break, I headed to the beach and enjoyed a walk/run. I wanted to get to the area that is
where our family enters the beach when we are here. As I approached it at first I didn’t think much about the
family that was there. But soon I
did a double take.
You
see this is the off-season. There
aren’t many tourists here, though it is mild and a beautiful time of year. I’ve never been here in the fall. God speaks in this place. He never fails to personalize a message
profoundly. So – back to the
family I saw.
A
Mom and Dad and three kids were playing on the beach. The children were young and so were the parents. I instantly flashed back to our first
trip here with three young children.
Then slowly the tape fast-forwarded in my mind I was overwhelmed with
memories all the way up to the week this past summer that included two
granddaughters being here with us.
Life
is fast and furious at times, but I will never regret slowing down the pace to
meet with Him, and to spend time with my family. I want to encourage you to find a place and make great
memories. You may already have
one. Even Jesus would withdraw to
rest. We must do the same.
This
past Sunday morning, spending time with the Lord alone at the beach, I read
this: ‘But I have trusted in your
faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the LORD because He has
treated me generously.’ Psalm 13:5-6. I was reminded of that again today
taking a walk on a beach . . .
