I went to the seashore last weekend.  It was a long-awaited quick visit with 2/3’s of my siblings.  We had a wonderful time together with good food and fond memories. 

One activity that we all share with great enthusiasm is an outing to the beach.  Food is thrown into a cooler; towels are organized; beach chairs are secured in the car and off we go.

Upon arrival, our priority is always to head for the ocean and challenge the waves.   It was great surf.  I was on my second trip into the water with my baby brother, when I decided that I did not want to go all the way out into the water.  I told Pierre that I would see them at the blanket. 

I “carefully” turned because I did not want to get slammed in the back and end up on my face in the shallows.  Well, don’t you know that did not work out as I had planned?  It was only a gentle wave, but I was turning and off balance.  Down I went! 

I was not tumbled (my friend Robin refers to this as “in the washing machine”), but I could not stand up.  I tried several times and kept sinking in the sand. 

What to do?  I decided to pretend that this is what I intended to do.  I let the waves bounce me into shore.  However, I still needed to stand up and walk to the blanket.  Should I just sit here and hope that my brother passed this way to help me stand?  Should I ASK for help (the beach was very crowded)?

Meanwhile, the water was still bringing me closer to the shore so that I would be just sitting on the edge of the ocean.  Was I going to turn over and get on my hands and knees and struggle to stand?  Was everyone looking as me?   I was so embarrassed!  This never happens to me.

Just then, a young woman came over to me, leaned down and asked, “Do you need a hand?”  “Yes!,” I replied with need oozing from my voice.  I rolled over onto my hands and knees and reached up for her hands.  She was a little bit of a woman.  “Will you be able to do it?”, I asked.  “Oh yes”, she replied.  And she did.

I stood up and gave her my gratitude and off she walked. 

Never doubt that God loves you unconditionally.  He reaches out a hand whenever you are in need.  He uses us for this help.  He instructs us in humility to ask, in wisdom to see the need and in gratitude to be thankful for all we are given.  Read Matthew 8:23-27 and be assured.

Terri