About Me
Fun Facts about Van Walton
My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.
My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.
My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.
My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!
I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.
Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.
One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!
Friend Van on FacebookMy Resources
My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Links
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
My surfing soul
While sitting
on the beach, enjoying the sunrise, a surfer’s routine inspired me.
He floated onto
a sunbeam where he turned his face toward the sun. Actually he focused on the
incoming waves, waiting to catch the perfect swell.
His activity
captured my morning meditations.
I had
arrived on the beach to worship God, to sit still, and learn from his majestic nature.
I enjoy a sunrise because it reminds me to turn my gaze toward the Son at the beginning of each day. I wait, wondering what message God has for me..
I enjoy a sunrise because it reminds me to turn my gaze toward the Son at the beginning of each day. I wait, wondering what message God has for me..
This day, it
was the surfer whose life on the surf caught my attention and spoke to me.
He paddled
onto the sun beam where he stopped for a moment. As I pondering his position I
thought of my own pose- intentionally stopping at the beginning of my day to
get my bearings. Was this what the surfer had in mind- getting his bearings?
Then, at the
right moment, he turned his surfboard and began paddling. He paddled
with the waves, making the swells and curls of the wave work with him, instead
of against him. What appeared to me to be massive threats and challenges, the
surfer turned into paths upon which to enjoy his day.
I wondered, “What
if every day each one of us ‘paddled’ out to meet Jesus and stood in the
brilliance of His presence for just a few moments. Then, when we were forced to
meet life head on and take on the challenges and threats—what if we stood up
confidently, and confronted our obstacles, turning them into pathways toward joy
rather than allowing them to become avenues toward grief, distress, and disaster.
I looked at
the powerful waves. I heard their thunderous crash against the shore and
watched as sand, shells, and life churned to the surface. Waves pack powerful
energy with enough force to destroy, demolish, and devastate. Yet this surfer showed no hesitation as he
faced the dominating force on the beach.
He took
control of the potential destroyer, stood up with confidence, and “walked” on
water.
The surfer
mesmerized me as, time and time again, he paddled out to the sun’s rays cast on
the surface of the ocean, sat a while, contemplated his surroundings,
joined the challenge, and rode the waves into land.
Freedom from
fear! Joy in the journey. That is what I observed.
Do I want to
live in freedom filled with joy each day? Of course I do. Do I want to conquer
and use each day’s forces in my favor. Yes! Is it possible? I now believe so –
without a doubt.
How?
1-Position
myself each morning in God’s light.
2-Wait for the
opportune moment.
3-When the
challenge arrives, as it surely will, join it and make it work for me, rather
than against me.
4-With God at my back, stand tall.
(I can do
this because as I positioned myself earlier He frilled me with the perfect
amount of strength, courage, and wisdom to stand up to any challenge.)
5-The
ride of a lifetime begins as I take authority in Jesus’ name over my obstacles.
Suddenly, although
I am sitting on the beach,
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2 comments:
Great analogy! I love it when the Lord speaks in those moments!
I was studying Romans 8 just this morning! "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose..." We can ride the waves because the victory has already been achieved. Not by anything we do, but by what he has already accomplished. We'll experience hardship (see Romans 8:35-36) but will overwhelmingly conquer those circumstances. Awesome text. Awesome analogy. Riding the waves, secure on the surf board he has provided! Warm wishes for a great school year, my friend!