wanted my girls to learn this powerful lesson.
As our rental car pulled into the overly crowed parking lot filled
with families unloading their beach bags crammed full to the
brim with sand toys, sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water,
my girls squealed, “We’re finally here! The ocean! We finally
get to see the ocean!” Mind you we had just spent three days
at Disneyland, but you would never have guessed it because
they were brimming with excitement to get their little four-and
five-year-old toes into the warm, soft sand. As we opened our
minivan doors to join the other families for the day’s excursion,
we were welcomed by the sounds of seagulls flying above and
greeted softly by the ocean breeze as it quickly blew through
our van and then was gone.
I had brought my girls to the ocean because I wanted them to
see God’s beauty, His power, and to experience what He had
created. I wanted them to experience their God in a much bigger
way. Being at the ocean does that. The beauty of the roaring,
white-crested waves does that. The site alone can take your
breath away. The sound of the ocean waves roaring to shore,
the soft breeze touching your face, and the birds singing
above, all testify to God’s reality and greatness.
As we walked the beach picking up seashells, I talked to Paige
and Addie about how wonderful and powerful our God is. We
talked about how beautiful and unique each seashell was they
picked up. We talked about God’s creativity, about the size of
the ocean and the power of the waves. I wanted them to see
God in His creation. I wanted to be intentional and give them
an opportunity to experience God in a whole new way and to
open their eyes to the bigness of their God.