Monday, May 17, 2010

Back in the wash!


On an early morning beach walk this weekend, I noticed a beautifully sea-green coloured piece of glass. I love "sea-glass" and have collected quite a bit of it over the years. Usually it is just ordinary old brown fragments...that I think originate from beer bottles! I must admit my reaction to the amber brown glass that Cliff was going to use on my stained-glass sunflower candle holder, would point to the fact that I have a bias against beer bottle glass! This particular piece was a bit unusual though. The pale aqua seemed to "belong" in the beach setting. An exact replica of the moment just before a wave breaks and the sunlight shows through. 'Tis my habit to photograph any beach finds "in situ" before I claim them for whatever use I have in mind, so I did. On closer inspection though... DISAPPOINTMENT! The edges were still sharp. Beach glass takes a lot of years of tossing and turning in the wash of the waves before it is worthy to be taken home! Sounds like our earthly predicament! Reminded me that though I sometimes long to go home, God is not finished with me yet! So many rough edges to be smoothed. I can just imagine Jesus leaning in for a close look, and proclaiming "Not yet! Back in the wash!" So every monotonous day that rolls in and out like the tide, and turns me in my place, and causes me to find friction in those dreaded "sandpaper people" is working for my good.
For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
 will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Footprints on the sands of time...

Since moving to the beach, since having my life turned upside down... shaking me from my nest and comfort zone, I have rediscovered the joys of beach-walking. Something I did often in my early teens and on holidays and outings as a child. The soothing sounds of the waves and soft 'scrunch' of sand underfoot both relax and inspire me. Nothing is ever the same 2 days in a row along the shoreline and you never know what you may discover or experience.
Thought I'd begin this new idea of Blogging with a treasured "find" inspired by my Anzac Day sunrise beach walk. The idea of living life in a way to make a difference and  leave a positive impression on others was the motivation for the background photograph. On returning home, I googled the phrase "sands of time" which was bouncing around in my head, and found this poem! LOVE IT!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
A PSALM OF LIFE
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN
SAID TO THE PSALMIST

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real ! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead
Act,— act in the living Present !
Heart within, and God o'erhead !

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.