Thoughtful Thursday 

Can’t You See?

My family has always enjoyed going to the beach! We would spend a week in an oceanfront condo or duplex, cramming in all the activities that the Carolina Coast had to offer. We didn’t stay at the crowded, touristy places, like Myrtle Beach. Instead, we sought out the quieter, more quaint little islands, such as Ocean Isle Beach, or Holden Beach. These spots were less populated, family oriented types of places to stay.

Some of the activities we enjoyed were: getting up and walking on the beach at the crack of dawn, so that we could watch the sun rise; exploring the island for interesting points of history; relaxing in the sun, fishing from the pier; fishing in the surf; renting a pontoon boat, so that we could ride around in the sound, fishing, or looking for dolphins; and, of course…playing in the ocean.

When we were younger, one of our favorite things to do, was to wade out chest-deep into the ocean, watch for a wave to swell toward us, and jump at the last minute, to avoid getting knocked down. Then, we would turn and watch for the next wave, and repeat this pattern for several minutes. 

Now, I can’t swim. I will avoid getting my face in the water, at all costs. Sometimes, I would lose the rhythm of the waves, and I would get knocked down. My face would be under the water for just a few seconds, while I was fighting frantically to stand up, before the next wave knocked me down again. Every time, when I stood up, I would be struggling to wipe the water out of my eyes, all the while, yelling, “I can’t see! I can’t see!” For some reason, my husband, and later, my son, thought that this was so funny. They would laugh and laugh, and eventually, this became a family joke. Sometimes, we would be just sitting around, and I’d hear, “I can’t see! I can’t see!” they’d say, with a grin. I took it well, because it really was sort of funny, and I was a good sport. 

Besides…for the few seconds that I was under the water, and even when I stood up, trying to wipe the water out of my eyes, I knew that my husband, Ed, was standing nearby, and he would protect me, and wouldn’t let me get hurt. Every now and then, he would even grab me by the arm, to make sure that I rose above the next incoming wave.

I am reminded of the account in the Bible, after Jesus arose from the dead.  In John 20:24-29, we read:

Now Thomas, (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
A week later, His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now, I am not a Bible scholar. There are some things about the Bible that I don’t understand. I’m still learning every day. However, I have seen and felt the Holy Spirit move.  

I BELIEVE! I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. I believe that Jesus was born of a virgin; He came from Heaven to earth to show us the Way; he preached in the synagogue, and on the Mount of Olives; He died a cruel death on a cross for my sins; He arose on the third day; He is on His throne in Heaven, and He’s coming back some day, to gather His children home.

And, just like the times that I was underwater, getting knocked down by wave after wave, when hard times come upon us, and the waves of life knock us down, I still have faith that Jesus is my protector, my Savior and my friend!  We may not be able to see…but we can believe!

Have a great Thursday!