Growing up in Southern California, I always found the ocean peaceful. There was something so calming when the salty water washed over my feet and I could feel the sand beneath my toes. I enjoyed the moments of searching for shells or just sitting down on a beach chair. The sound of the waves crashing drew me into a place of relaxation and contentment. So as a teenager, I thought of the beach as my safe place.
However, I felt this shift when my nerve pain started to progress over four years ago. This led to other symptoms that I didn't have before. I wasn't sure if going to the beach would ever feel the same again. I couldn't walk barefoot in the sand or even come close enough to touch the ocean I felt during my childhood.
Maybe you have felt the same. Think of your safe place. Then picture it being taken away. How do you find peace when there is pain and chaos?
I shared last year about going to the beach for the first time in about three years. What a beautiful experience I had that morning. I could see the ocean from a distance, and it gave me joy listening to the ocean and touching the soft and warm sand. But, it still felt like something was missing.
Then I visited the same beach a few months ago and experienced a different feeling. My heart was full. I was sitting in stillness and noticed a wave of peace over me. There was something so beautiful about hearing the sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the shore. Then I felt the wind brush against my hair in a simple breeze. I didn't think of the sadness of my childhood. Instead, I focused on how peaceful and calm I felt. Because for the last few months, I have gone through more pain. I have noticed an increase in my physical suffering. But, God is working in my heart to lead towards a path of healing from the emotional pain.
I'm sharing this with you because even in the chaos and suffering, there is peace. There is peace in the moments of sitting in silence and listening to the waves crash against the shore. There is peace when we pray and have deep conversations. There is peace when we put aside any distractions that life brings.
Friend, I encourage you today to look for what brings peace and calmness in your life. Find that today. Put aside any obligations or other distractions for even a few minutes. Because if we don't have moments of stillness, then the chaos will continue to overwhelm us.