Tag: Martha Black

“You’ll Find Me at the Ocean”

I have always loved the ocean. I love that it is full of so much I can see and still so much that I can’t see. At the ocean, the world above the world is pretty amazing but there is so much more happening than I can even know beneath the waves. And, it is just such a refreshing place to be. The sounds, the smells, the sand beneath my feet. I love it all!

God’s promises are often tied to the water — from baptism to the charge to make “fishers of men” to many things inbetween.

And when I am feeling the need to rest and recharge, the ocean is a special place for me. Unfortunately, I don’t get there very often. I haven’t been oceanside in about a year and I am definitely overdue, especially after a year like this crazy year!

I was intrigued when I heard about the book, You’ll Find me at the Ocean by Martha Boggs-Black and couldn’t wait to read it. While it is a beautiful picture book written for children, it was a actually a gift for me to be able to read it! I love to see God at work in nature and in the smallest, often unnoticed situations around me. This book gives simple yet powerful reminders of God’s provisions and Martha recounts the promises of God so beautifully.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. – Psalm 32:8

We are all moving through the stages of grief about something and God’s promises are the only things that are worthy to cling to!

This book is a great resource for the classroom as well as home. This is perfect for a child who is grieving the loss of a loved one but also a wonderful opportunity to explore the emotions surrounding death and God’s promises. God’s promises in light of this story are sweet reminders for each of us!

Here’s a link to the book: You’ll Find me at the Ocean : A Journey of Grief Through the Eyes of a Child

You can learn a little more about Martha, the author, HERE!

A Million Disappointments…

I can handle a few changes and reschedules. Situations come up, I get that. But this year has been a situation that has led to so many disappointments.

I am generally a flexible person. I can adjust and adapt. I go with the flow and roll with the punches so changes in my schedule do not throw me off. And it’s ok, really, that I am home more. I have lots to do here.

Lots of sorting — both in my mind and in our home.

Lots of purging — both in my mind and in our home.

Lots of re-organizing — both in my mind and in our home.

And I am happy to be getting these things done, but it feels awfully strange to now not have the freedom to do what I am used to doing. I think that loss of the freedom to travel without all the stress of the coronavirus is the main disappointment because it does impact my schedule.

I don’t like…

…all the time and energy it takes for extra precautions!

….not seeing my people!

…the ugliness of people’s attitudes!

…the pressure and stress that so many are under!

…the anxiety and stress and exhaustion my family and friends are experiencing!

I continue to hold onto my hope and faith in God. He is on His throne. I know He loves me and is working all of this out. Things are uncomfortable at the moment but this is earth. And while I do love my life here, this is not all there is!

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:1-5 NLT

I will be publishing some extra material on PrayerPoints over the next several days leading up to something I think you should know more about!