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May 2, 2006
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The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative.” —Ruth 4:14
A wise person once told me, “Never be quick to judge whether something is a blessing or a curse.” The story of Naomi reminds me of this.
The name Naomi means “my delight.” But when bad things happened to her, Naomi wanted to change her name to match her circumstances. After her husband and sons died, Naomi concluded, “The hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” (Ruth 1:13). When people greeted her, she said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (v.20).
Rather than judge her circumstances in light of her identity as a follower of the one true God who had proclaimed unfailing love for His people, Naomi did what most of us tend to do: She judged God in light of her circumstances. And she judged wrongly. The hand of the Lord had not gone out against her. In fact, Naomi had a God-given treasure she had not yet discovered. Although Naomi lost her husband and two sons, she was given something totally unexpected—a devoted daughter-in-law and a grandchild who would be in the lineage of the Messiah.
As Naomi’s life shows us, sometimes the worst thing that happens to us can open the door for the best that God has to give us.
Loving Father, help me not to judge Your love for me
on the basis of whether today brings good news
or bad. Help me remember that You desire to use
my circumstances to make me more like Jesus. Amen.
God’s purpose for today’s events may not be seen till tomorrow.
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I was there yesterday with Toby & Josy & friend. Here is a pix of Josy investigating if this smells bad enough to roll in.
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Great thread, GB!!! I love the beach. Sorry I am running late...and can't stay. I am gonna be sooooo late to work! I'll be back later to see what's going on at the beach!
Born in 1934, my earliest memories were of - I kid you not! -
"Sunday Drives in the Country" to Miami Beach!
Driving over the causeway to the beach area, there were numerous homes along the Biscayne Bay side, but on Miami Beach itself, there were only about a dozen blocks of development. Reaching the Beach, we had no problem finding a good spot, if we wanted to swim there.
World War II, however, brought the big boom. We usually drove up from Miami Beach to Baker's Haulover, where we could watch vessels going from the Inland Waterway into the ocean itself - and back. The beach line was total wilderness, with nothing but sand dunes and palmettos the whole way.
We also would park beside Biscayne Bay to watch the Pan American Clipper Ships (airplanes) take off for South America!
For family serious swimming/picnic times, however, we often drove down to Mathison Hammock Beach, where many knobby-kneed trees rose from the shoreline, and the wave action was more gentle, and there were covered picnic areas.
On my hall wall, I have a priceless photograph of my parents in their early 40's, posing by one of those trees...
Florida, of course, is rampant with flora and bird life of every description - - as is all of the state.
Going to Parris Island, that first fall we were just 3 blocks from the ocean, and were threatened by two hurricanes. If they had arrived at high tide, we at first floor level would have been washed over by 20-foot waves. We had to move all our clothing and bedding and gear to the second floor for the duration to save it if that happened.
The same was true when I lived on Chincoteague Island, Virginia in 1955 - 2 x 7miles "big."
We had to go over the one causeway to stay with friends inland, when, again, two hurricanes brushed by!
[Always wondered if I were a *magnet* for storms!!]
Leaving Fairbanks, Alaska in the summer of 1966, we were blessed to be sent to Myrtle Beach AFB, in base houring, located directly across the highway from a South Carolina State Park beside the ocean.
Living later in both South and North Caroina, we often made treks/vacations to beach areas.
Sharks played a major role in meeting my husband!
Living then in Melbourne, Florida, I often took my two little boys to the beach after teaching a 5-year old Sunday School Class, and sometimes during the week.
I had seen him at Indialantic Beach, the head Lifeguard, dramatically going out to retrieve from the surf a large plastic ball a little boy had let go.
(He was a partner in a restaurant business with his brother, and with days free, he as a Water Safety Instructor was talked by the Kiwanis Club into heading the guards at the beach, going there anyway to swim.)
A few days later, my friend and her son went with us there. It was a usual summer of *Shark Sightings* up and down the coast, including there, sometimes having to close the beach to swimming. Leaving my boys with Dot, I went up to ask him if any had been sighted this day, so I could go out and swim alone. ...(with a negative answer, I did, and he caually strolled over to Dot, and ascertained the fact I was not married..:)
About two weeks later, he and I took my sons' inner tube, with me in it, out in the fairly calm water to chat while we enjoyed the warm water.
Of course, the tide was slowly pushing us out, and intent upon our conversation, we had not reali zed how far from shore we had drifted - - AND...
saw nearby a FIN circling us!!!
He protectively got between me and The Beast, and quietly told me to get to shore WITHOUT OBVIOUS SPLASHING!!
Talk about a L-O-N-G and harrowing journey - LOL now... propel, but don't make waves..:))
As it turned out, he was the predator shark, lo those 46 years ago..:))
When I was visiting Palm Beach FL several years ago there was a pelican sitting on a pier piling (? I think that is what they are called ?) as if were posing for a picture. There were also puddles of oil on the beaches in FL from oil spills. When I was in San Diego over 25 years ago I saw a couple of seals & body surfers in the water.
Now, look what you've gone and done! You've made me want to go to the beach today! My favorite weekend getaway is to the coast, even in winter. Bears love to go to the beach, you know. :-)
Have a great day at the beach, everyone!
GeeBee, I really like the soft colors of your backgrounds! You did a great job, and I can't tell you how happy I am to see you *back*!!!!
Aw, GeeBee, what a nice relaxing thread.
I've had many great walks on the beach in the past. I really enjoy watching the birds, seagulls and pelicans mostly. But we can also see sandpipers on the shore at times. Herons and grebes are seen in the wetlands.
It is most exciting to see dolphins. I also occasionally enjoy sailing.
Thanks for "A Walk on the Beach." :-)
Bailey and Jack pulling lifeguard duty this morning with grandson Logan...
My favorite beach.. Nobska Point Cape Cod Mass. Spent many hours climbing those rocks looking for crab..This is the lightHouse, it would be to the right.
Neat thread. And sooooo refreshing! : )
I see tinypic is being cantankerous again. : (
Nice thread, GB.
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