Spreading Joy

Making a Difference One Person At a Time One Day At a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Warm Welcome
    • Spreading Joy Daily
    • Work with Me
    • Quick Links
  • Spreading Joy
    • JOY for the Journey
    • 30 Days of Spreading Joy
    • Videos
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Our Passion
  • Resources
    • Where We Link UP
    • Books
    • Christian Resources
    • Singing and Such
    • The Bible in 90 Days
    • Freebies
  • Christian Social Media Kits

November 11, 2012 by Spreading Joy

I Love the Ocean

[Translate]

My heart is pounding!

You’d think I had not been to the ocean in years, but actually, it’s only been a few months. I quickly head to the sandy shores of the Atlantic.   I’m giddy with delight!

No matter how many times I come here, my heart feels as if it’s the first time I’ve seen it in years.

I love the ocean.  I love the smell, I love the sound, I love the sights! I simply love it.

The sand feels so cool on my feet.  I must remove my shoes to get the full effects. I love walking thru the sand to the water.  I reach the edge of the shore, the gentle waves lap up against me, saying “hello my dear friend! Do you know I love having you near me?”  I sit in the sand, near the water but not so close as to get soaked.

I keep my feet at the edge, enjoying the cool water washing over my toes as I gaze out over the glorious ocean.  I look straight ahead. As far as I can see is water.  This mighty ocean is so peaceful, so calming as it rocks back and forth showing the world that God is in control of the waves.

The gentle rocking is luring me into its massiveness by it mighty power.  So gentle, yet so huge and powerful. It can lull the most troubled heart to sleep easily and, yet, wipe out entire cities by its force.  I love the vastness of it.  I look to the left and the waters are never ending…just like God’s love for me. I look to the right and the waters go on forever.

I love that.

I look ahead and imagine how deep the ocean must be.  No one can touch the bottom of the ocean.  I think how wonderful that is, because my sins are buried just that deep – as the deepest seas.  And, better than that, God forgets them!  He remembers them no more!

Amazing!

I look straight ahead and admire the utter vastness of the ocean and think of how big and mighty God truly is and yet – he takes the time to love me – little ole nobody – me.  God is bigger than this ocean, mightier than the wildest waves and wind and yet, for some reason, He draws me to Him. He calls me and  HE wants me to spend time with Him.  He can have anyone on the face of the earth, and he wants me.

I look at the sand and the wonderful treasures that are buried there. I see the normal ole seashells, plain,  like me. Millions of them are there.  Usually, I never pick them up unless they are shiny and beautiful.  I smile and wonder why God picks me up.

I’m not shiny and mercy, no where near beautiful.  Oh, I adore the cool seashells! I love when they are in whole pieces, but I rarely find them – and yet – I laugh to myself – when mom comes to the ocean, she comes back with oodles of cool shells that she found as gifts from the ocean. I smile and think to myself, she deserves those treasures from the ocean, she is truly a wonderful woman who deserves more than I can ever give her.

I sit beside the ocean for hours, soaking up every sound, every quiet clap of the waves, every gentle swoosh of the the water retreating back into its bed.  I love the deep and complete peace I feel as I sit there, beside the majestic ocean.   Knowing that as God controls the ocean, he truly controls everything in my life.

I look straight ahead,  a beautiful orange glow is emerging off of the horizon! I didn’t realize that God was giving me yet another gift! Another desire of my very own heart! The desire to see the full moon rise up out of the ocean, to light my night, to light my path,  to lead the way for me.  It creeps up, inch by inch, pouring more and more of its light right down upon me.  I smile and think “thank you Lord for the full moon” I have always loved how I feel closer to the Lord when it is shining down.  The full moon over the mighty ocean –  the greatest gift ever.

I love the glory of it all!  So majestic! The huge moon, watching my every step, lighting my way.  The ocean that is gentle, peaceful, yet strong enough to violently shatter the earth with its great waves.  I sit and dwell on His goodness. I soak up His greatness, His wonder, HIS love for me – thank you Father, that I can always visit the ocean in my minds eye.   Your grace is enough, and it truly does amaze me.  Your grace and love is sufficient and never ending – just like the ocean.

What do you see when you look at the Ocean?  Can you imagine how deep God’s love for you is?  Can you look out over the ocean and realize the power it takes to hold the water in place?

My Prayer for you when YOU look at the ocean!

When you see the perfect cute little treasures of the “neat” shells, may you remember that YOU are that special and that out of all the millions of “shells” that you stand out and God is waiting to pick you up and place you with his prized shells so that you may bless the heart of others every time someone looks at you.

When you feel the gentle waves lapping at your feet – may you be reminded of how tenderly God holds us in his hands – and how he comforts our hearts when we are troubled.

When you see the waves clapping – know that HE is coming for us one day.

When you see the waves crashing on the shore – remember that this is a tiny portion of how much power God holds and ALL THINGS ARE possible by him – for his children that HE adores.

When you see the never endingness of the ocean, may you be reminded of how HE loves us – truly deep down loves us. and that love is never ending.

When you gaze at the ocean and wonder how deep it is, may you be reminded that it is sooo deep that our deepest sins are buried there and even God himself can not get to them, nor can he remember them.

May you feel the love of the LORD sweep over you and on to your life as you gaze at the majestic ocean, that is nothing short of awesome!

Last Thought: Do you know that with all of the millions of “shells” that surround you, that God chooses YOU too!  He draws you.  He wants you to dwell with him.  Are you spending time with Him.  Are you being still beside the ocean and enjoying the view? *patting the sand* come…sit right here, next to me and let’s enjoy how awesome God is – together!

 

Do you have a special place that puts your heart right next to God’s?

Do you have an area that just makes you feel as close as you can possibly get to God?

Share with us in the comments below.  Better yet, if you’ve written about it, then share the link below so that others can easily find it and be encouraged.

Spreading Joy is as simple as posting on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google + as well as pinning on Pinterest.

Thank you for your efforts in Spreading JOY! 

Don’t miss a single encouraging article!

Subscribe to Spreading Joy by Email:

 

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

 

© 2012 – 2014, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.

    Related Posts:

  • 5 Ways to Keep Technology From Taking Control

      I would say that most people these days are connected to technology ..

  • Depression

    Depression is fought daily by millions and when the winter months start ..

  • A Promise Kept

    A Promise Kept Because of this single promise found in Luke 18:33 “And ..

  • Everlasting

    ev•er•last•ing [ev-er-las-ting, -lah-sting] adjective 1. lasting forever; eternal: everlasting future life. 2. lasting or continuing for ..

  • He Knows

      Ps. 139:1  Oh, Lord, thou hast searched me and known me….   I’m often ..

  • Boundless Love

    I’ve been thinking about the love of God lately and how He ..

❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Comments

  1. 1

    Bobby says

    October 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

    Marie, this was a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. I too love the ocean and always feel Gods presence when I’m there. So honored to call you my sister in Christ.
    Bobby recently posted..Random Thoughts

    Reply
    • 2

      Marie says

      November 8, 2013 at 11:21 am

      Bobby!

      thank you for taking the time to read it!

      Isn’t it great to know that as we look out over the ocean that no matter what we face in this world, that our God is bigger, mightier and more amazing that the ocean?

      thank you for the JOY you’ve brought to me over the years!

      I’m thankful for you!

      @spreadingJOY
      Marie recently posted..Dare to Be Event

      Reply
  2. 3

    Jarvis Beeckman says

    November 7, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Meditating has a huge of benefits that you can take advantage of. Finding the inner peace we all want is easy when you practice meditaion. Meditating seriously is a good way to settle your mind body and soul, letting you ignore and push out the unwanted stuff .

    Reply
    • 4

      Marie says

      November 8, 2013 at 11:23 am

      so true! being still, dwelling on the positive around us and ridding our hearts of the bad and unwanted is so important!

      and the ocean – for me – is the best place in the world to do just that!

      have fun spreading JOY and thank you for adding to the discussion!
      Marie recently posted..Dare to Be Event

      Reply
  3. 5

    Christine says

    September 26, 2014 at 12:04 am

    Love these thoughts! I, too, LOVE the ocean and feel God’s glory and love there. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • 6

      Spreading Joy says

      September 27, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks Christine! I would love to live there one day!

      Reply
  4. 7

    Andi says

    July 27, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    and how beautiful it is that God has created all of this for us, His children – to meditate on and to praise Him for!
    Andi recently posted..Today, Save Up To $15 When You Go Shopping!

    Reply
  5. 8

    Kandi says

    July 27, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    I love the beach. It just amazes me all He has created for us.
    Kandi recently posted..Am I Worthy?

    Reply
  6. 9

    Pamela says

    July 27, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Oh how I love the ocean! It’s been two years since I’ve caught a glimpse of their waters and I have a real longing to go back. If I can sit with light coming through stained-glass windows, I feel God so near. There’s a little chapel on the university my husband teaches for — only big enough for 30. It’s a beautiful place to spend time with God.
    Pamela recently posted..Good Girls Bully Too

    Reply
  7. 10

    Renee Kinlaw says

    July 27, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    I love this! I am a beach girl too. My daughter and I have been looking at creation all around us since she was just a toddler and talking about how great God is. I love the sky too. There is no artist like unto God. Thanks for sharing it was absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  8. 11

    Marilyn says

    July 27, 2015 at 6:44 pm

    I love to walk my neighborhood or the park and look at the trees. How they are shaped and watch them sway in the breeze. I feel as if they are “praising” God. It gives me such peace. Blessing…

    Reply
  9. 12

    Ally King says

    July 27, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    What a beautiful image you paint of the ocean–makes me want to go there right now!

    I personally love walking through the woods near my home just as the sun is setting…you’d be surprised how loud it can be. I always get lost in the little noises.
    Ally King recently posted..Dealing with Difficult Moms

    Reply
  10. 13

    Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says

    July 27, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    I love just being outside with my thoughts and God. I find I truly appreciate Him when I stop to stare at his glory. Loved your description of the beach… I kinda wan to go now. 🙂
    Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com recently posted..Exciting News From the Generation Good Community

    Reply
  11. 14

    Denise says

    July 27, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    That was very beautiful! I am going to share that on my Facebook site. I don’t get to the ocean very often but I do love the sounds and smells of it.

    Reply
  12. 15

    Jonathan Key says

    July 28, 2015 at 8:12 am

    The ocean is so beautiful. I miss it a lot. This is a wonderful post.
    Jonathan Key recently posted..The No Spend Challenge – Day 28: 4th Week Reflection

    Reply
  13. 16

    Marissa says

    July 28, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Yes, the ocean does seem to draw me into the grand-ness of God’s creation and brings it all to a new light. I also enjoy hiking in the local parks, the tall trees and sounds of birds…. it removes the craziness of the city and pulls me back to Him.

    Marissa

    Reply
  14. 17

    Roxanne says

    July 28, 2015 at 9:08 am

    i too LOVE the ocean. It reminds me of God’s greatness, and my smallness. There’s not much that humbles me more than standing before His mighty power.
    Roxanne recently posted..Raising Children in a High Tech World…You Can’t Google Wisdom

    Reply
  15. 18

    Jodi Spencer says

    July 28, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Awesome — love your openness. I feel closest to God in the green outdoors. I’m from the Piney Woods of East Texas and have spent my whole life wrapped up in the intimacy of forests and pine trees. There’s something so peaceful, calming, earthy about being in the outdoors where all’s quiet but the birds and squirrels. As busy as I stay now, the most outdoors I get is my patio and yard, which is still covered it trees!

    Thank you for sharing!
    Jodi Spencer recently posted..Why Minimalist Living Matters to Your Relationship with Christ

    Reply
  16. 19

    Matilda says

    July 28, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Marissa, i just love the way you meditate and soak in all the goodness of God. What a great way to eliminate poisonous thoughts and emotions whilst focusing on God’s supremacy. Great Post…
    Matilda recently posted..COUNSELLING MARRIED WOMEN GONE WRONG

    Reply
  17. 20

    GinaB @ Mirror Watching says

    July 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    I am a born and raised island girl so I totally get this. Even though I don’t live on a island anymore I get to visit each year and like you I long for it, dream about it in anticipation. God is good.
    GinaB @ Mirror Watching recently posted..I’m So Tired Of Counting Calories!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Our Mission: Empower and serve everyday ordinary people

Our Vision: Transforming communities and inspiring individuals through acts of joy.

Give a Tax Deductible Gift today

Thank you for your donation! Spreading Joy doesn't have any employees and all expenses are paid for by the founder. This enables us to take 100% of the donation you make and help meet the needs of others. Thank you for Spreading Joy with us!

Hang out With Us

We Love Mail!

You can send in your donation or Cards for Veterans or send us a letter of your Spreading Joy Experience to PO Box 1771 Denver NC 28037

Voice Over

Get More Joy for your Journey

Free tips, encouragement and ideas!

Thank you!

We look forward to Spreading Joy with Y O U!

Are you Spreading Joy Daily?

Are you Spreading Joy Daily?

Get your Copy Today

Recent Articles of Encouragement

  • Calming Beach SLEEP STORY for DEEP SLEEP and Relaxation | Sleep With Ocean Waves in Background
  • AY9581 Life In and Out
  • Jesus Said
  • Treasure Kingdom Review
  • In Preparation for the Process
  • Eve, Where Are You?: Confronting Toxic Practices Against the Advancement of Women
  • Research-Backed Mindfulness & Wellness Serene App
  • Letting Go
  • Don’t Quit
  • Exploring Wisdom from Proverbs

Work With Me

Work With Me

Give a gift of Coffee! Or Treat Yourself!

Bean Box Coffee Gift Guide

Happy Mail for the Kids

50 Ways to Make a Difference

Make a Difference

Regardless of the resources you feel you don't have, you CAN make a difference! We will show you how!

Affiliate Disclosure

This Site may contain Affiliate links. At no additional cost to you we could receive a small percentage of any purchases you make. This will help us as we are Spreading Joy Daily and should flood your heart with JOY as you purchase something you want, knowing it gives back to an organization who cares.

Blog Archives

Looking for Something Specific?

30 Day Challenge Jan 2011

Wordless Wednesday 10-20-10

Measure of Success

Back to School 2017 Results

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2022 · Design byEkko Web Solutions · WordPress · Log in

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design

English English Afrikaans Afrikaans العربية العربية Беларуская Беларуская български български català català česky česky Cymraeg Cymraeg dansk dansk Deutsch Deutsch ελληνική ελληνική español español eesti eesti فارسی فارسی suomi suomi français français Gaeilge Gaeilge galego galego עברית עברית हिन्दी हिन्दी hrvatski hrvatski magyar magyar bahasa Indonesia bahasa Indonesia íslenska íslenska italiano italiano 日本語 日本語 한국어 한국어 lietuvių lietuvių latviešu latviešu македонски македонски bahasa Melayu bahasa Melayu Malti Malti Nederlands Nederlands norsk norsk polski polski português português română română русский русский slovenčina slovenčina slovenščina slovenščina shqipe shqipe српски српски svenska svenska Kiswahili Kiswahili ภาษาไทย ภาษาไทย Filipino Filipino Türkçe Türkçe українська українська tiếng Việt tiếng Việt ייִדיש ייִדיש 中文 (简体) 中文 (简体) 中文 (繁體) 中文 (繁體) powered byGoogle