Waves Crashing Against the Shore

Have you ever walked along the beach early in the morning looking for seashells? As the waves crash against the shore and return back to the ocean, you discover new things under your wet, sandy feet. With each new wave, new shells appear and some shells seem to reappear again and again.

Anytime I walk along the beach, I usually have my eyes on the ground looking for that perfect seashell or sand dollar. Sometimes the waves bring up the perfect shell, and sometime they bring shells that I'm not expecting to find. You have to reach down quick to pick up those shells you're really looking for because when the wave returns to the sea, the shell may go with it.
In our lives, we have many opportunities that "wash ashore" and are in our grasp. We have the choice to take the opportunity and make the most of it or let it go past our hands. Some things are worth making that tiny leap into the wave that makes us a little uncomfortable. Then again, some things wash away quickly for a reason.

This summer I have had the opportunity to work with CentriKid for my second summer in a row. The ministry of CentriKid has encouraged me and motivated me to make the most of every opportunity when working with children. Intentionality is key to being a camp staffer. Kids love to talk and they love for someone to be interested in what they have to say. There are times when working camp that it might seem easier to not take the opportunity to talk with a kid, but when the opportunity is taken, it's never regretted. Intentionality is not just having a conversation with the first kid you see about the weather or their favorite movie. If you haven't talked to a kid lately, one thing is for certain: kids are more open than we give them credit for sometimes. At camp, it's simple as sitting with a little girl at dinner and asking her what she learned in Bible Study that day. The conversation might start with, "I learned about how Jesus died on the cross," and then it can continue into a conversation about having a relationship with Christ. I've been apart of conversations like that before and it's incredible to see how God uses the opportunities he gives us for his glory.

A few weeks ago at camp when I got to dinner a little later than usual, there were not many kids sitting down eating, so I found a seat next to an adult leader from a church. I love talking to the adults at camp because they are getting to see their kiddos learn and grow so much throughout one week. After all, we get a group of kids one week out of the year and they have them the other 51 weeks of the year. It's encouraging to talk to them and hear their hearts for ministry as well. I sat down with a lady and after about two minutes of small-talk, she asked me, "so what is one thing God has been teaching you this summer?" It took me a second to gather my thoughts because that was the first time I had been asked that question this summer. Then I began to explain: "God has been teaching me about taking the opportunities he gives me every day and to truly be intentional with kids not just at camp but in everyday life." I explained to her that I am a 1st grade teacher and that I have the opportunity everyday to love on kiddos and show them the love of Christ. It hit me as I sat there and talked to her: Do I take those opportunities like I should? This summer, God has given me the opportunity to be apart of a lot of kids' lives. What's cool is that he also has given me a group of kiddos throughout the year that I get to invest in. He's teaching me this summer that when I go back to work, I'm in the mission field that he has placed me in. I have the opportunity to show Christ's love to some fun kiddos while teaching them. Am I willing to make that small leap and take the opportunities that he has given me everyday? It doesn't stop at camp for me.

Tonight as I was walking along the beach with my mom, I was looking intently for a sand dollar. I whispered a prayer during my walk and said, "God, please place a little sand dollar along my path." Now, that may seem like a silly prayer, but God is big and even in our prayers that seem small, he proves himself big. Guess what? About five minutes later, I looked down, saw a round figure in the water, made that uncomfortable leap into the water and reached down to pick up a small sand dollar. I got my clothes a little wet and my hands were sticky, but God had answered that prayer and had given me an opportunity. I just had to take it.

My prayer for myself is that I will continue be intentional with kiddos this summer and that I will be intentional with my first graders throughout the school year. Isn't it cool that God can teach you and remind you of things just while you walk down the beach?