Traveling along a road (with red dirt roads on either side…something new to me) on the way to the beach I noticed a church sign that read, “Pray for each other.” Such a simple sentence with such a powerful purpose. “Pray for each other.”  We all have people in our lives that ask us to pray for them. The Bible tells us…  ^“Pray without ceasing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17…  I thought of all my friends and family that have asked for prayer, for the people at church who had ask for prayer… such need out in this world.  I asked God to bless them and for all of the ones I couldn’t remember that needed prayer as well.

After traveling for hours, my husband and I finally arrived at the beach.  Umbrella and chairs in hand we towed it down and claimed our little bit of sand. Oh, how marvelous… the white sand in my toes, the ocean breeze, and the wonderful sight of the ocean itself.  The next few days consisted of thanking the Lord for the blessings of my life, eating crab legs, soaking up the sun, enjoying time with my husband, and reading my new book… Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson.

One evening while we were out on the beach, I took my chair out from under the umbrella, as the sun was going down, to get closer so I could sit with my toes in the water. While there I was reminded, as I was writing in the sand and it being washed away by the water, how God washes away our sins.

 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:16-18

How great it is to have a God who washes away our sins.

I also looked around at all the footprints and thought of the poem,

Footprints in the Sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him
he looked back, at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”

The LORD replied:
“My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you,
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

He carries us… when we have done all we can, when we are worn down from all that life has thrown at us… let Him carry your burdens, let Him carry you.

I wrote, “Jesus Loves You” in the sand. As fast as I could write it, here comes those mighty waves to wash it away. Just like the sin in our lives, it is so easy to slip into sin but the mighty strong Savior will come and wipe us clean (if we repent and ask for forgiveness)… Those mighty waves of the ocean could also be like the things that try to drown us in life, but we have a Life Guard who walks on water! Keep your head above those mighty waves that try to drown you, He will come to your rescue you need only to ask.

Writing in the sand also reminded me of the scripture in the Bible where Jesus writes in the sand, looks up to the people who are judging the woman and says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone”… This can be found in John 8.  I hope to always remember that everyone falls short and instead of judging that person and hurting them worse… I hope I remember to build them up with prayer and lend a helping hand.

After a few days of enjoying the beach, we decided to head back home.  It is always bittersweet to leave.  I had such a great time.  All of the great things about the beach though, can’t compared to the feeling of HOME … Just seeing my states sign makes me smile after being gone…Walking into my home, and just taking a breath, it is such a peaceful feeling…and seeing my family that I had missed while on our trip is just as good as the first moment getting home.  (I can’t imagine the feeling of HEAVEN when I can call it my HOME someday if my own little home down here on earth brings me such peace… Oh, Glory be to God for the peace I will have in Heaven)

On our way back home, I saw another church sign that read, “Today I will pray for a friend.”  Wow, so much like the first one I seen on the way to the beach. (Yes Lord, I hear ya! Pray for one another!!)  I am so thankful I saw both these signs, Gods’ messages are all around.

A day after my husband and I had arrived home, we decided to take a short road trip. (Thank you Lord for blessing me with good health and safety on our trip to be able to enjoy fellowship with my husband!)  We stopped at a restaurant that we had been to in the past. This time they sat us by the window, we got to enjoy watching a creek that was flowing with life.  I was enjoying the food, low dim lights, and scenery when I overheard the lady behind us.  She was expressing to the people with her that a lady at her church had ask for prayer for her son.  He had been in a tragic accident.  The lady expressed that she did not know the young mans name, but God did and that is all that matters. God knows, she kept repeating. Indeed, God knows. It just reminded me of the signs I had saw earlier in week.

Lord, thank you for reminding me on my trip, that I am supposed to pray for others.  Thank you for continuing to open my eyes to see you and seek you more.

 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee.” Psalm 102

God does know, every need we have. To all of my family, friends, church family, clients…and anyone that I have ever spoke the words, “I will pray for you…”  I lift you up the the King today.  I pray for extra blessings for you.  For the ones that I can’t remember your need, God remembers and He knows exactly when and how to give you some relief.  We need only to be still and remember He is on the throne!

God Bless Y’all *Betsy*

“What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”