Rhythms

The ocean has it's own rhythm.  In and out it ebbs and flows drawing, ever drawing; water, sea creatures, green bits of seaweed towards the shore.  In and out, in and out; always finding the path that it has been destined to follow.  It resembles breathing.  The same cadence, the same slow movement, and unless you stop to ponder it, you don't even know that it happens. Watching the ocean today taught me something of trust.  All I really have to do today is breathe.  Breathe deep,  taking in the rhythm that the Creator has put in all living things.  The ocean in it's self is not alive, but it is filled with creations that are surrounded by and depended on the water; for it's sustenance, it's fulfillment, and it's very life and existence.   I also am completely dependent on Him who made the air that I breathe and the vast ocean that sustains the creatures contained in it.

Breathing comes to us completely naturally.  It is as natural to breathe as anything that we do.  If a child has a temper tantrum and holds their breath, eventually they will pass out and once again begin to breathe.  In to each life God has breathed the instinct to live, to survive at all costs.    Living and breathing, breathing comes naturally, but living, that is sometimes very tricky.  Getting caught up worrying and fretting about a million and one things can take the breath right out of us.  Today, as I was walking on the beach, watching the rhythm of the ocean, it helped me to stop and breathe.  Thinking about what a miracle it is, just to breathe. Listening to my breath, listening to the breath of the ocean, listening to the Creator whisper in my ear; "just breathe.  Breathe and take in not only the fresh breeze of the coast, but take Me in.  Take me in to soothe, to relax, to surround you, just as the ocean surrounds the creatures it sustains. Let me hold you, and as you feel the warm wind, think of Me.  Expect Me to take care of you. Breathe, in and out, enjoying life, enjoying Me."  

Walking back to the beach house I heard the birds calling out their mournful cries, the same rhythm of the waves coming in and out, with the soothing sounds of "it has been alright in the past, and it will be in the future."   Thank You Father, Creator, Sustainer for the rhythm You have built into all of life.  Thank You for reminding me of the breath of life, and the sounds of life that always surround me.  The blue of the sky, the teal of the water, the multiple colors of the shore birds.  Oh, may I stop, know that You are God, and breathe.