Finding a sandbar.

My family and I recently got back home and back to work after a quick vacation down to the Gulf Coast. Namely, Padre Island. We got about 4 hours of solid swimming in the warm ocean waters (no oil) and a good seaweed bath.

It was so cool to be out in the water and I had this crazy idea of getting out as far as I could and then letting the waves carry me back to shore. I even got Trevor (my oldest son) to go with me. I thought we could swim out and then get on the tube and just float back to the beach. If you've never swam in the ocean you aren't aware that once you get out so far the water actually carries you farther from shore, not closer! After a few moments of panic we got it figured out and made it back in.

After a few minutes of recovery we headed back out. This time were were just going out to neck deep to jump over and swim through the waves as they came in. But this time we found a sandbar that jutted out from the coast line another 20 or 30 feet so we got a quite a distance from the shore but were still standing up at about neck deep. It was really fun! Until we found one of the sides of the sandbar and started to slip down. On either side of this sandbar the water was well above our heads. After the swim out to sea and back we were pretty tired but still wanted to play. After all, Trevor had never swam in the ocean and I had only done it in the cold waters off Oregon.

Having that sandbar to stand on allowed us to feel like we were way out in the ocean waters but still have the comfort of a relatively sure foundation. As long as we stayed on that sand we were okay. 1 Peter 5:10 says this, After you have suffered a little while, the Lord will restore, support and strengthen you and He will place you on a firm foundation." In the ocean as in life there are lots of times when we get in over our heads. Maybe it's the job, relationships or just a mixture of all that life can throw at you. We call it stress and it can be overwhelming and exhausting. But our God knows what is going on in our lives. He is aware when we can't take it anymore and need to rest.

He provides the firm foundation. You can't get out of the ocean of your life, but you can find a place to rest. A place to stand. A place to keep your head above the water. A place to regain your strength. Find some balance. And have your faith restored.

Thank You God for allowing us to enjoy the excitement of life, even with it's troubles and struggles. And for placing the sandbars right where we need them.

Remember, God may not take you out of your situation but He can deliver you through it.