A Simple Thanks

If you’ve been following along you know I love the beach about as much as I love riding. Both give me a peace that is unexplainable, because those are where my best conversations and my strongest connections with God occur. It’s as if it’s just me and Him and for a little while I’m able to totally connect without interruptions from the outside world. I’m able to truly appreciate the beauty around me without any negativity and I am extremely thankful for His many blessings.

I’ve been fortunate to have had more walks on the beach the past couple of months than I’ve had in the past several years combined and it’s been amazing. I know it will be a while before it happens again with summer getting closer as it will be too hot and too crowded for a return trip so I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy every moment this weekend. Hearing the alarm go off at 5:45 a.m. to see the sunrise is much more satisfying than hearing an alarm at any time to get up for work. This morning as I watched the sun slowly appear I couldn’t help but think how peaceful yet powerful the waves were as they crept towards the beach before crashing ashore. The ocean is full of life, yet also can be deadly. It’s beauty and power is like nothing else. There are huge whales and yet there are also tiny little creatures such as the pygmy seahorse that only gets to about 1 inch in length that all call the ocean home. That is absolutely amazing to me.

As I sat in a beach side swing later on enjoying the ocean view in front of me, there was a wedding going on in the pavilion behind me. A new life was beginning for this couple as they pledged their vows to one another. When the ceremony was over I watched as they made their way across the street towards a beach access walkway for pictures. The bride was in a simple but beautiful dress and the groom was in his army dress blues which were highly decorated with medals. I watched as he stepped aside for the photographer to take pictures of his bride with her bridesmaids and flower girls. As he stood by watching, I witnessed many total strangers walk up to him, shake his hand, and simply say, “Thank you for your service.” A simple thanks from total strangers but I could tell it meant a lot to him. They could have just walked on by and headed to the beach, pier, restaurants or wherever they were going but they instead made it a point to stop and show their appreciation before continuing on.

As I later was walking along the beach headed back to where we are staying I reflected on this experience and other recent trips to the beach. I couldn’t think of a single time in those many walks when I heard anyone speak an angry word towards another. I don’t recall hearing a parent raising their voice to their child or seeing anyone having to spank them either. Perfect strangers greeted each other with a warm hello as they walked along. The ocean seems to bring peace and tranquility to all that are in her presence. I sent my mom a short video clip of the sunrise as she too loves the ocean and she said as she watched and listened it was so beautiful and peaceful she had watched it 3 times already. What is it about the ocean that brings people such peace?

Psalm 146:5-6

“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever.”

Why did this couple choose the beach for their wedding? Was it because of the peaceful feeling or the pure beauty of His creation or some other reason? I’ll never have those answers, but I’m thankful to have witnessed their joy and others thankfulness in this beautiful place. I watched a baptism also take place on this beach last weekend when someone posted the video to the pier’s Facebook page. How amazing it would be to be baptized in the ocean He created!

Saying thank you to God for all of these experiences and so many more simply doesn’t seem like enough.

Psalm 9:1-2

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

Although it may not seem like enough to simply say thanks, it’s a start. I know that He is the reason for the peaceful feeling and that He alone is where we can find peace. No material items or other people can bring the same peace that He offers. We can all help the world be a more peaceful place by simply giving thanks to each other as I witnessed today, but true inner peace can only come from our creator.

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”