Tag Archives: ocean

r e s t

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Every trip we have taken to a different locale far away from our familiar territory is a pause in Life’s normalcy. Some trips are exciting and invigorating while a few may be endurance travels, but the thing to remember is that we are removed from our comfort zone.

Recently, we visited a tropical country with jungles, exotic wildlife, oceans and beaches, and a very different standard of day-to-day living. Such a vacation was enjoyable and educational, and at the same time humbling as we are reminded once again how blessed we are to live freely, safely, having our needs met (and so much more than we really need to live a full life).

Not all vacations are continually restful nor peaceful, but they do allow us to pause and hopefully return a bit refreshed-after recovering from the traveling aspect of distant destinations! Moving to a different city or country can result in the same feelings after the settling-in process is completed. I wonder at times what it is that prompts me to explore places not yet seen or even known to me until research has revealed them. I suspect, like many of you, that I seek a bit of adventure, enlightenment, engagement, challenge and rest. Upon my return from some idyllic destination, I seem to be more energized, wanting to repeat the trip in the future. However, there have been a few vacations and trips which taught me a great deal more about myself but which I have no desire to repeat. This is to be expected simply because the ups and downs of vacations and trips mimic our daily lives. Few of us ascend to a bucolic alpine meadow and remain there indefinitely.

Rest can be elusive and even uncomfortable, especially for us ‘doers’ whom always need something to focus on in order to be distracted from the unpleasantries of our trials and failures. Boredom has become a neglected part of our lives and seems to negatively affect our psyches, especially in our energized world of instantaneous gratification. But I am learning that to be bored has its’ advantages, forcing us to put the smart phone and computer down, turn off the news and so-called influencers, and simply pause and imagine this life we have been given to experience. And, what we have to offer in return.

I recently came across this devotion from John Ruskin which speaks of musical ‘rests’ and how we perceive similar pauses in our daily journeys. I find his analogy sublime.

There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of our Creator. Yet, how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there.

Up a Tree

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We returned from Mexico (please see previous post) two nights ago. Cheryl had a wonderful trip, as did I. The timing, weather, sights and people were all terrific.

We did some different things this trip such as hike to the top of a jungle peak and rented a car to visit some coastal out-of-the-way towns near Puerto Vallarta. Also, we saw some unusual creatures in trees. Once you see one and start looking closely, you will see many more which were not previously perceptible. I am referring to Iguanas which come in different sizes and colors. Some are green with exceptionally long tails while others are an off-orange color with larger spikes on their backs. They all like to hang around in trees among the local bird population. They are sometimes referred to as chickens of the trees because there meat tastes like chicken-supposedly, even though their flesh is a reddish color. No, we didn’t try a plate of Iguana; we just read a lot about them.

Here is one photograph I hope you find as interesting to view as it was to witness in person. There were at least seven or eight iguanas we could see from this one spot. However, this guy gave us the best view to shoot, along with his feathered friends. It is worth enlarging!

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Aqua en Movimiento

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VACATIONS 243

With a fury the waves crash into the submerged sand bars just out of the dry shore’s reach.

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The sky reflects upon the ocean its personality in cobalt, turquois, and misty white colors.

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Local tradesmen stroll the beaches as if in stride with the water’s waves. And, they are.

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As the tide completes its rhythmic motion, calmness returns for a moment. The cycle continues relentlessly, and sublimely.

 

Unforced Rhythms of Grace

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I wish I could take credit for this title because I find it so profoundly accurate to the story I am about to share in this post. Eugene Peterson, the author of The Message Bible, developed this paraphrase from a passage about surrendering our burdens to Christ whose grace never ceases, but flows continually into our lives. Rather than simply create a word picture, I have included several photos of waves I recently watched and played in off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The time spent at the  beach was as enjoyable as one can imagine!IMG_1359I really love waves. They remind me of clouds passing across the sky-an ever-changing panorama. I am in awe of surfers who navigate these fluid highways with stunning accuracy, and I thoroughly enjoy those jaw-dropping videos of waves rolling over surfers or crashing over reefs and onto shoreline rocks. Nature in motion. Breathtaking beauty. The visual and audible rhythm is soothing. At the same time waves can be extremely dangerous, especially the undertow and hidden objects below their momentous surfaces. Nevertheless, waves are awesome to behold and I count it a privilege whenever I can be near them (on or next to land, that is).IMG_1111While on the coast of sunny Punta Cana I was reminded of the words a friend spoke to me a few weeks ago. Tom lives in Florida and spends time lapping up the soft wave action of the panhandle. He often sits in the shallow water as the waves gently roll into him…repeatedly without end. He loves that. Tom discovered he has a very serious form of lymphoma cancer which devastated his body in short order. The good news is that his type of cancer is curable. However, the treatments last five months with week-long infusions, then rest and more infusions. Tom is away from his home during these treatments. His body suffered serious bone deterioration in joints and along his spine. Surgeries were necessary. It has been rough sailing for him and his wife.IMG_1134You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about Tom in the same context as waves. I’ll tell you. Before our vacation, I met with Tom for lunch and he explained the whole ordeal with cancer, treatments, etc. No pity-party, just facts. I’ll never forget the part where he talked about this journey and how his faith played a part in him keeping a positive attitude despite the circumstances. As he sat in his wheelchair, he kept motioning with his arms; he would extend them outward and then draw them inward in unison, like he was rowing a boat. He told me that God’s grace flowed into him just like the waves gently rolled into his chest as he sat in the shallow water of the ocean. Back and forth his arms moved. Then he said, ” I’m blessed, you know. I’ve been given so much and don’t deserve it all “.