We walk along the sandy beach amidst the splendor of the Lord
The waves are lapping back and forth changing the beach with every crash
Above us, flying all around are seagulls calling out to us "Caw, Caw, Caw"
My little boy runs up ahead - a little blue pail swinging by his side
He stops, then bends - his focus so intent upon the sand...
He turns around, his hands held high up in the air,
a broken shell clutched tightly in his palm and a smile from ear to ear,
When at last I catch up to him, he’s all aglow
"Look, mommy what I found. Isn’t it just precious?"
Not a broken shell does he see
but rather the beauty of the colors God left for you and me.
A tear forms slowly in my eye as my heart begins to swell with pride.
Before I know it he’s off again exploring all of God’s creations.
In his wake he leaves behind tiny footprints in the sand.
Then it dawns on me this scene I see reflects his life.
As he walks upon the sand he leaves his mark upon the world.
The broken shells surrounding his prints are like the trials he must endure.
But just as he pointed out the beauty of their colors -
I can see the values he will learn in life as he moves on.
The wind picks up - the water swells - and covers up his prints.
I look upon the sand and see it washed as smooth can be.
In this moment, I can see the Hand of God protecting him each and every day.
I take comfort knowing that no matter how many broken shells
he will encounter in life our God will always roll right back in
and smooth the way for him.
I hear a noise and my thoughts refocus on the present
Up ahead he calls out to me:
"Look, mommy what I found. Isn’t it just precious?"
I catch up to him and ooh and ahh at his newfound prize.
I take his little hand in mine as we walk along the beach -
leaving behind our footprints in the sand.
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