Our family together at the beach- the healing balm my heart needed.
Last time we were knee deep in the ocean I had been waiting to share with friends and family that I was pregnant with our 3rd babe – Hazel.
I’ve stood in the ocean many times before, but this time I had an experience I didn’t expect. A jelly got me and it did not feel good.
This time, 3 years later, Hazel set foot on the hot sand for the first time. Her free spirit ran wild like she’d been there before. In that moment I knew I had to let go of the fear and anxiety of “what if”. How could my kids fully be, if I allowed my experience to filter their world? I watched all 3 of our babies, at an age I had once been, playing happily and care free. I wondered if I still had any of that childlike spirit left in me. Turns out I still do. Just uncovering her little by little.
In spite of my hesitation because of my last experience and the knowledge of sting ray being present this time, I dared to go knee deep again. I made up my mind that I wouldn’t go as far, but I’d take a step.
There’s where I met Jo. I was walking out of the water and she was standing there, not too far from the shore. Meeting her right where she was. Kinda how Jesus does with us. I asked her what she does to have a body like that…she laughed. I was serious though, I wanted to know. Then we started talking about the gym/strength training, motherhood and family. Turns out, she had been stung by a jellyfish her last beach trip just the year before, which is why she would only go so far too. It’s interesting what brings people together, closer or even some times separates us, causing division. By the end of it, our families were sharing a shibumi and snacks. I was not only stepping knee deep into the water, but also friendship.
You see, my world was unraveling in the best and hardest of ways and I wanted a shoulder to lean on. Although I longed for it, I hadn’t expected it, seeing that the burden I was carrying felt too heavy for even me. I didn’t trust myself to make the best choice in picking a friend. So I held it, like I have time and time again. Until Jo started holding it with me. She started the conversation that led me to be so vulnerable with the heart of another. Could she handle what I’d have to share? After all, this is where I am – would she be able to meet me where I was. I can’t fully express my awareness of God’s awareness of our needs and when it’s time to tend to those needs. He knew though and Jo was right there, with her shoulder for me to lean on. She too had experienced already, some of what I was walking through. My burden was now light work for her, so she held what I shared with ease and I could breathe.
The last day of our time at the beach, our families said goodbye. Jo hugged me tight and said, “You take good care of yourself. And when I’m in Nashville I’ll let you know and we’ll get together.”
I’m still only knee deep when it comes to friendship and the ocean, but both sting a little less after this beach trip.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and s o fulfill the law of Christ.”- Galatians 6:2 ESV
“who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”- 2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV
gazellegatherings.com 