LESSONS IN A WALK BY THE SHORE

   I walked by the river shore today, hoping to find a treasure- perhaps a unique piece of driftwood, or some other wonderful find. The day was balmy, and the sun was smiling; but the wind was stiff, and the energy from the wind was transferring into waves sloshing against the shore. The whooshing sound of the incoming waves, and the spray in the air were refreshing. I walked quite a distance and found  a rare gnarly piece of driftwood, as well as a twisted piece. I walked slowly back to the car, not really wanting to leave the peaceful feel and sound of the river, and a beautiful little flower arrested my attention. I stood for awhile looking at it and thinking, "What is that bright little flower doing on that barren and ugly bank?"

It was alone, but glowing and healthy. I realized that a seed had somehow defied the elements and clung tenaciously to the rocky soil and coal pieces until it sprouted and became a plant, and ultimately bloomed into a bright yellow cluster of flowers that mirrored the sun in their little faces. I had to take a picture to share with you. Lesson 1: I can grow and glow alone and untended if I determine to brave the elements and barrenness.

   I noted several brightly blooming wildflowers as I wandered along the shore. I climbed the grassy bank and noticed a yellow wildflower sporting its perfect beauty as it thrived among the grasses which had succumbed to the drought. This flower had searched for the little drops of water, and had thrived and blossomed on the drops while the surrounding vegetation gave up and died. Lesson 2 for me: I can search for the little drops in life that will help me to thrive on the positive and help me to grow into beauty in the midst of defeat and death.

   For several weeks, I had taken note of the skeleton of a huge tree that had been uprooted and carried by the flood and deposited on the riverbank. Over the year, it has become smooth and polished as it lay there until it has become a sculptured marvel that could not be perfected by any gifted sculpter. "How did it become so perfect in form?" I wondered.

 It was windy today, and the river was heaving and rolling. I would sometimes hear a crashing and roaring that would cause me to jump to 'alert' status; and I would see the fury of the waves crashing and rolling along the trunk of the tree to end at the polished root and subside in a murmur of spray and foam.

Aha! This is how the tree is sculpted to  smooth perfection and beauty! Another lesson: those who can take the crashing, furious waves of life, wearing day after day at the heart and the soul will be polished and beautiful in soul and spirit-a virtual showpiece for God! Now that is a precious thought!

    We had a fun and active Sunday School today. It seemed necessary to offer lots of interactive activities, and the children rose to the spirit of fun. After the lesson, we went downstairs, and they spent a long time creating with fun scissors, cool paper, leaf-shaped punches, stamps, markers, and glue. We love the children that God has sent to us. They are often the beautiful little flowers, blooming among circumstances. Please pray for them and for us, as we bloom wherever God has placed us.

Thank you for your interest, and please pray for Lower Brule.