Job 38:8-11 Or who enclosed the sea with doors, when, bursting forth, it went out from the womb. When I made a cloud its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, And I placed boundaries on it and set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther, And here shall your proud waves stop’?

This week I went to the beach with my husband, daughter, and two grandchildren.

I brought along my sunshade tent since I burn easily. I intended to sit in the shade and watch my grandchildren play, talk to my daughter and maybe take a nap…but the waves beckoned.  

Lake Michigan was warmer than expected. What is usually too frigid to stay in for more than a couple minutes felt like bath water.

We made our way out onto a sandbar and positioned ourselves in front of the crashing waves.

The waves picked us up and pushed us back to shore. We could barely stand up before another came and pushed us even farther. Again and again we made our way out only to be carried unceremoniously back to where we had begun.

We laughed and laughed at our ungraceful, awkward body surfing. It was like we were playing with God.

Like he had arranged the waves just for us.

Like he had twisted the wind so the waves came at us not from one direction but from two.

Like he had warmed the water enough that we stayed in not a couple minutes, but a couple hours.

We dragged ourselves out of the water and sat winded, but oh so happy.

Then we went back and did it again.

Some of you might say that isn’t very dignified for a 63 year old woman who has had a stroke to participate in such an activity. You would want me to be more careful.

My daughter, Anna’s answer to the day was…”Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day).

Enjoy today. Quit worrying about how it looks. Tomorrow might not come. Waves like that might not be that warm again. Whatever it is you are afraid to do…do it.

Enjoy each day God has given you. Do the things that bring you joy, not because you are the best at it, but simply for the joy. There will be plenty of serious days when you do serious things. They too should be done with all your heart, but for today look for the joy. Look at the wonderful world God has made and enjoy each minute.

Ps. 104:24 -26 – O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And Leviathan, which you have formed to play in it.