We recently had the opportunity to have a quiet moment on the beach of Lake Michigan. It was a peaceful weekend at the end of my winter break and we returned to the mountains to ski. If there is a beach nearby, I am going to find it and walk. It allows me to be present and content.
As I walked, I was picking up beach rocks. I was looking for flat stackable ones. A rock caught my eye in the shape of a heart. I smiled, happy of this random find, picked it up and put it in my pocket. What a great addition for our beach jar, where we collect shells, stones and broken glass! I continues walking, and within two minutes, I saw another. Two heart shaped stones; amazing finds for a short (and cold) walk.
Driving home that day, I pulled them out of my pocket. Looking at them, I considered the chance of such a find. I also wondered what we miss when we are looking to find specific things in life, such as wealth, love, friendship and peace. These desires are helpful for goals, but are specific wants good for our mental health? Do we end up working so hard we overlook what is right in front of us? This journey of life is one of a roller coaster of emotions and change. The ability to find gratitude in any moment, good or bad, is where we will find peace. Living in the moment and searching our mind for reasons to be joyful is where miracles are found. When we journey through life with God’s hope, there is always a light in even the darkest days. There is a saying that encapsulates this view beautifully: “Some day we will find what we are looking for, or maybe we won’t. Maybe we will find something much greater than that.” (Author Unknown) God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11, promises us hope for the future. No matter what pain or problems we are going through now, creation reminds us of this hope.