Summer Fun

Our family has been coming to the same stretch of Michigan sand every summer for 68 years. Although the dimensions of the beach change each year based on the depth of the lake, one beach feature has always been there: the creek.

The creek emergesAs kids we played endlessly in Deer Creek, a shallow, moving mini-river of water flowing mysteriously out of dark woods into Lake Michigan. Despite summers when algae grew on its surface or bark turned the water brown, nothing could keep us out of it.

If we left the beach and followed the creek into its deep woods we would find treasure beneath the water: minnows, sparkle-rocks and best of all, gray clay. During the carefree days before we hit the double-digit years, we were sure this clay was the key to flawless beauty. Working carefully on ourselves and each other to cover every square inch of exposed skin, we’d emerge from the woods looking like a potter’s wheel had gone berserk.

In the 1950’s, creek mosquitoes were so thick we often resembled measle-infected kids. Regardless, we followed the creek as far as we could, thinking it “went forever.” Sometimes wild winds knocked trees down, creating perfect bridges. We’d run back and forth, competing to see who could cross the fastest before mis-stepping and crashing into the water. During moments of rest, we’d straddle the “bridge” and talk for hours, sharing childhood secrets. Our parents let us roam, never nervous over our safety. Such freedom is a perk today’s children don’t often enjoy.

Deer CreekLast summer Jack and I had a carefree adventure of our own. Since the creek flows through the woods behind our cottage, we decided to walk home from the beach in its water. Between fallen trees, slippery rocks, tangled roots, and low-hanging branches, we barely made it. But I felt like a kid again, and it was worth the effort.

There aren’t many people following the creek these days. Parents need to keep a closer watch over their children, worrying about who else might be in the woods. (Thankfully there’s never been an incident nearby.) Maybe the kids are all on the internet or playing video games. Whatever the reason, they’re missing one of summer’s delights, not to mention a choice chance to learn about the Creator.

Exploring the features of Deer Creek is like nature’s summer school. Even studying the tiny body of a mosquito can teach children about God’s attention to detail and can initiate a special admiration for him. Although God can be appreciated for his part in the world of technology too, catching minnows in a beach towel or harvesting a bucket of sticky clay might be a superior route to getting acquainted with him.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

A Stoner

Some people would say I’ve got rocks in my head, probably with rock-solid reasons. There’s no end to my fascination with stones. Despite there being unnumbered practical uses for rocks, their real appeal is their striking colors and patterns, each telling a tale of origin. God gets all the credit, and collecting and appreciating stones is, in my mind, an activity bordering on worship.

???????????????????????????????Tonight Jack and I couldn’t wait to get to the beach, and we arrived an hour ahead of the sunset. At the water line we were greeted with the mother-lode of beach stones as far as the eye could see. Never without a plastic bag in my pocket (available for collection of dog-product or stones, whichever comes first), I dropped to my knees and began picking through the bounty. Speckled, black, pink, gold, fossil-imprinted, pearl-like, striped and flecked. What’s not to love?

While bagging rocks, I sometimes think of the biblical description of the New Heaven. Part of it is a list of the different stones God plans to use in its construction:

  • Gemstonessapphire
  • emerald
  • carnelian
  • chrysolite
  • beryl
  • topaz
  • amethyst
  • jacinth
  • chrysoprase
  • jasper
  • agate
  • onyx
  • pure gold, as clear as glass

After studying descriptions of each of these foundational stones, I realized the majority of them are “see-through.” As someone who is moved by the beauty of earthly rocks, I can’t imagine the thrill of gazing at a city with massive walls and foundations constructed from these precious stones. I don’t think I could even look at it without a bag to breathe into. That’s probably just one of the many reasons we can’t be transported to heaven without first being changed.

I fully believe the wonders of heaven will knock us flat, even before we get a glimpse of God the Father or Jesus the Son. After all, several biblical personalities were given a quick peek, and falling flat was exactly what happened to them.

When I think about the splendor of heaven, I wonder if we’ll be permitted to look into God’s throne room. Revelation 4 describes this incredible scene with beautiful stones, too: “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones… and the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”

God has a gorgeous dwelling place planned for us, and while I’m waiting for the transformation necessary to witness it, I’m going to enjoy hunting for beach stones that are, for now, as stunning as I can stand.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye…Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Please pray about Monday’s infusion #6, completing the first third of my chemo. Thanks for continuing to pray against nausea.
  2. I’m thankful for a good weekend with family and dear friends.

Don’t fence me in.

On the way.Today was a sunshiney day, so 7 of us took advantage and went to the beach. Emerald loves it there, and we had a good time dodging small waves, pouring water, and burying tiny pink toes in the sand. Each time we go to the beach, though, she has a strange ritual. As we’re on the boardwalk headed toward the sand, she stops repeatedly to play with the fence, endlessly fascinated with squeezing the flexible cables.

I have a hard time coaxing her to head for the water and sand. After all, there’s the slow-flowing creek to dabble in, sand cakes to make (and smash), seagulls to chase, and pretty stones to collect. And yet, unable to see all this from the walkway, Emerald gets waylaid by the cables every time.

???????????????????????????????But don’t we all do that now and then? It’s especially true in the spiritual realm. We get excited about spending time on all kinds of temporal things and lose sight of eternal ones. We might devote hours to chatting with good friends but only minutes with the Friend of Scripture. We find chunks of time for pleasure reading but ignore Bible reading when that could be pleasurable, too.

Why is this? Maybe we have good intentions, recognizing the importance of prayer and Bible reading, but are waiting for circumstances to be just right before starting. I’ve done plenty of that in my day. Maybe we think prayer and Bible study need to be done in partnership with other people and no one else is available when we are. Or we may lead lives of continual interruptions, thinking that so many disturbances would be an insult to such lofty spiritual disciplines.

Or we might just feel plain old incompetent.

I don’t think God gets angry with us when we have trouble getting past the “cable fences” of life to get to the wonders of him and his Word, but it’s possible he feels bad for us. He knows we’re missing out and wishes we’d come closer to receive everything he wants to show us and give us.

If I let Emerald play with the cable fence to her heart’s content without insisting we continue on toward the beach, she might enjoy herself there for a while and then turn back toward home, thinking she’d had a great afternoon.

Digging inBut today, for example, as we emerged from the walkway to that great expanse of shoreline, she raised her arm, pointed, and said, “Wa-wa! Wa-wa!” That’s when she realized it had been worthwhile leaving the fence.

Jesus prayed, “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do. I have revealed you to [my followers], and I will continue to do so.” (John 17:25-26)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. Though I haven’t had the vomiting after this week’s chemo as I had before, a mild nausea seems to be hanging on, taking away my appetite. Please pray it will disappear.
  2. I’m thankful for a day in Michigan with several of our grandchildren.