Sunday we decided to go to the beach, by ourselves, to celebrate and reconnect. I love my children. Don't misunderstand that. But this summer our home has been "Full up". We have had pretty much zero privacy. So when we had to postpone our trip I may or may not have poked my lip out and pouted like a two year old for a hot minute.
When we got down to the beach on Sunday my brother in law was at the house. Don't get me wrong. My husband loves his brother. I love him too. My husband may or may not have pouted like a two year old for a hot second. Lately, it seems, we just can't ever get time alone. We have a college graduate living with us along with our youngest daughter most weekends. And, drum roll, their dogs. An 85 pound black lab and a 45 pound corgi. I love these doggies very much. As of late I'm wanting privacy more than company.
I went out on the beach Sunday night to watch the sunset. Out of the blue the Lord said "You are where you need to be in this season". I must admit I often argue with God when I hear Him whisper in my soul. Horrible I know. He's God. I feel pretty certain He already knows that about me. Probably why He has to teach me lessons repeatedly. Last night was different.
He brought to mind several important things: (1) Family matters. My brother in law is an amazing human being. He's single and lives by himself. Interaction is important to anyone, I would imagine, who lives by themselves. (2)Our girls may not always want to be at home. One day they will marry and have their own homes. We will likely be begging for them to visit (3) My husband and I have a lifetime together. Longing to have alone time probably keeps a marriage exciting. Something to look forward too. Not too different from when you were first dating and counting down the days until you saw each other next. (4)Praise God we have the privilege of a beautiful place at the beach so close to home. It truly is something my family never takes for granted (5)Finally, there is no such thing as coincidence. Every single thing that takes place in our life is by design.
I think about our daughters. Their friends. Their generation. They have been raised with instant gratification. Buy something on line with a push of a button. Download a song or a movie immediately. They've never had to wait for their mother to take them school shopping. They've never had to wait for their favorite song to come on the radio or their favorite bands album to be released. They have no concept of understanding that a moment in time is just a moment in time. And I, like them, have become accustomed to instant gratification.
Where does God have you walking today? Getting ready for back to school routines? Stuck in a job you hate? A marriage that leaves you empty? An illness that consumes you? God has a plan for all of us. Even the bad and the mundane. We are walking testimonies to His love for us. Whatever He has us walking through? It is to teach us. Guide us. Better us. Refine us. He has a purpose for us. It's our job to recognize its not all for not.
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow. But take heart, I have overcome the world"-John 16:33
