Thursday, July 31, 2008

I Am Off to Play at the Beach Today


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Earlier this week I read the following words and have been savoring them ever since. I leave them with you now, yet surely I shall continue to mull them as I watch the rolling waves and hear the cries of the playful gulls. "This moment must be savored," I shall whisper to myself as I stand in the moment in awe.
* * * * *
What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process - that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God. . . . God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.
~~Oswald Chambers~~
(1874-1917)
from My Utmost for His Highest


[Painting of young Gary and his brothers playing on the beach in Fort Bragg, CA. Lovingly painted by his grandma. Sadly, he did not inherit her gift with a brush and palette, only the painting.]

9 comments:

Becky said...

What a blessing! Jealous---->






Have a great time! Tell the ocean I said hello.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

how cool is it that you can take what I have been thinking and turn it into this most awesome post? That's what I love about blogging and finding folks blogs... some just have this knack of being on or have already read the page I am coming to and put it to words so much better than I ever could... The beach is lovely wish I was there :) Have a wonderful time!
Hugs Laura

CONNIE said...

Have a beachy day! And I hope you have a great time...

The art piece is precious. Love it.

Later.

Julie said...

That was such a beautiful quote. I wish I could come and play at the beach with you. Somehow the brine-shrimp-littered rocky-salt-sand at the Great Salt Lake just doesn't cut it. :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful words. Have a lovely time at the beach...I am jealous!

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Have fun and I love the painting! How special to have something made by Grandma...

Anonymous said...

Moving words to carry in your heart and contemplate.

I hope you are enjoying your day.

imbeingheldhostage said...

That is lovely! I hope you're enjoying the beach (it's a beach, how could you NOT?)

Theresa said...

What an awesome inheritance to have that painting from your Hubby's Grandma! We love Fort Bragg and Mendocino. It's my 2nd favorite beach area. Glad youa re getting away! Is the smoke gone there? We are thinking of going there on the way home. I love Oswald Chambers too. Thanks for visiting my blog and all the encouraging comments!