Lita and Rick Sample
CBF Field Personnel San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.
What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!
Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.”
– Psalm 107:28-31
We can all agree that “trouble” is part of life. Sometimes it is pretty overwhelming. In past years, I’ve struggled through two cancers and heart issues, and some other significant challenges along the way. It wasn’t easy, and I can’t imagine walking this path without Jesus by my side.
Looking back at the hardest times of my life, I can see God’s hand holding me and carrying me through it all. Where I find the most peace and comfort is when I go to the beach, sit and listen to the waves, watch the birds and get lost in my thoughts—sometimes just emptying my mind.
There is much to say about the beach. The sound of the waves distracts me from life’s overwhelming busy-ness and distractions. It’s as if the setting slows the world down for a little while. Grounding myself in the damp, cool sand connects me to the Lord, and I find myself breathing praise for what God has created and done for me.
Watching the waves roll in as the sun begins to fall from the sky, I see the water begin to calm, and I find myself matching its tranquil rhythm. Breathing the fresh clean air renews my strength and calms my spirit. The clouds on the horizon begin to turn shades of pink, purple and orange, as the sun tries to stretch its arms out from behind the blanket of white, giving one last show of brilliance as the canvas before me turns a bright orange as its song’s sweet ending. It’s like looking at a glimpse of God on the throne, showing us God’s glory, before dipping into the sea. All worries and burdens are washed away by the sound that covers me. It is comforting. This is when I know that my Lord is carrying me in peace and wholeness.
I find myself not wanting to leave. This moment is given to me, and the connection with God is so deep, that it is indescribable. I wait until the rays are all but gone, then turn to walk away. There are no words to speak, nothing to share. My heart is full and in ways, even healed.
As I read Psalm 19:1-8, I am taken back to that place.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
—Lita
Pray, Practice, Ponder
This is a perfect time to reflect on the poem, “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson. Many of my generation know this well and for us and those who never have heard it, I hope it will remind you of God’s great love and care for us.
As you prepare to read this, breathe in deeply and slowly exhale. Relax your shoulders. Picture yourself at the ocean’s edge, cool water lapping your toes, as your feet sink into the sand. Think of God’s all-encompassing love for you.
“Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson
One night I dreamed I was walking
along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that
during the low periods of my life, when I was
suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So, I said to the Lord, “You promised me
Lord, that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods
of my life there have only been
one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you.”
