Waves? "Bring It On!"

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me? This is the LORD’s declaration. Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary of the sea, an enduring barrier that it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot pass over it.


My "littlest little" is now nine years old. Up until now, she has always been timid when she finds herself amid ocean swells and waves. She has always needed me to hold her, or atleast hold her hand whenever the waves were less than calm. She would delight in running from the waves, but when it came to running toward the waves, it was more like dread. There were brave moments sprinkled throughout the years, but they were few and far between. I certainly expected the first waves of the season to be endured in similar fashion. So off we go down to the beach, armed with shovels & buckets for the "less than sturdy wave riders." I am totally prepared for some sweet shell hunting and sand sculpting. But what I observed was rather unexpected. She and her biggest brother head into the surf unwaverly. I don't know if it was because she was with Mr. Fearless or what, but she was not that same wave-wary child of years past. She stayed out there for the longest time, jumping waves and squealing with delight over the very waves that used to bring dread. Curious I went out with her, and was amazed at this new perspective. She never once tried to hold my hand. In fact, I had to repeatedly ask her to stay nearer to me. She was chatting to herself,(a common occurence)when I heard her exclaim aloud, to no one in particular..."Waves are my life!!!" She fixed her gazed on the horizon, and bravely beckened the sea to "Bring it on!" I stared at my marvelously mysterious child and chuckled as I asked her, "Who ARE You?"
She looked up at me totally oblivious to my shock. I then reminded her of her past dislike and timidity of these very waves. She looked at me incredulously and said, "I'm not scared now. This is so exciting!"
She's right, you know. There is an element of living among the crashing waves that keeps us on our toes. God is so very real in the day-to-day of wave living. It is exhilerating to have to trust God for each wave that threatens to topple us in our endeavors. When our time in the high surf is done, there is much needed respite. Those waves can wear us down. After a time, however, I personally find that I am missing the wave life. I am missing not knowing when or where the next wave will hit. I rather long for that total dependance on the Lord for my next breath. And what I find is that enduring each wave, makes me stronger for the next. Those waves that used to send me running for the safety of shore, have no effect on me. The waves I conquer today, build me up to take on the challenge of tomorrow's waves. My child is learning little by little that so many of her fears are simply unfounded. These types of fears are joy stealers that block us from receiving the blessings that God has in store. I am so grateful for my past storms that have bolstered my faith. That is the reason that I long for some spiritual surf living. Whereas I was once terrified when God asked something huge of me, I now strain to hear God ask me to do another hard task. There is such sweet fellowship that happens there. Where fears are overwhelming, He is gracious to hold our hand, to reassure us that all is well. But how He must thrill when we, as His children, are overheard to exclaim, "Bring it on!"