Ebbs & Flows

Someone texted me this morning to ask how I was doing; I relied, "It ebbs and flows; today it flows...we slept last night."

I was thinking about ebbing and flowing. That is what the tide does at the beach, due to the gravitational pull of the moon, I think. If the ocean always flowed the land would be flooded, if it always ebbed there would be no ocean.

Why do we think that all is well only as long as everything is "flowing" in our direction? I know why. For me, when it is flowing, I feel rested, full, enriched, buoyant, and blessed. Is there only a blessing when the ocean is flowing. Why would God have the tide ebb and flow? Would there be a blessing in one and not the other?

Have you noticed that when you are at the beach and the tide is out (ebbing) you can see all of the "junk" that is at the bottom on the shoreline. Some real nasty stuff, yet many times you can find treasures: beautiful shells, starfish, lost items of beachcombers gone by.

When the pull of this world, this day, this moment, causes the tide of God to seemingly pull away, I know that it is part of the plan. It is purposeful. The ebbing and flowing of life is the cycle that God designed.

As the tide ebbs and I see in myself all the "junk" that had been hidden...I repent, I ask for forgiveness, then I look for the treasures: forgiveness, righteousness, peace, joy, and love that never fails. Then, as I wait...the flow comes!

This moment, it is flowing. Why? Because I slept last night. If it ebbs before the day is through...I will repent and comb the beach of my heart for the blessings. The cycle continues....