….the downside of the beach path. When I wrote the “Footprints in the Sand” blog not too many days ago, I was standing at the top of the beach path, feeling mighty victorious. I savored my victory, knowing that soon I’d have to begin the descent to the beach below. I also know this sand leaning downward toward the beach is not only unbearably hot some days, (like Friday), but gives way under your feet, you lose control and have to stop and regain your footing. Many a beach chair has bruised and nicked my ankles on these descents.
I also said in that blog that this “journey” to the beach would take place over the next six months and I should reach the shore by Xmas. These past days I have been making my way down ever so carefully until the very hot, fragile sand made me try to hurry my way down to the water. All I could think about was how great it was going feel when I finally plunged my feet into the cool surf. What happened? You can guess. Feet went out from under me, and though I escaped major damage by the beach chair, I had to stop, pause, rest, back up, and think before proceeding. It was time to apply all that I learned on my upward journey over the last six months. Time to be quiet, practice deference, and retreat to just being a vehicle for the spirit.
Some hearts, like these grains of sand, are fragile and can’t stand a lot of pressure. And that’s okay. The downward path is not so much about my safe navigation, as much as it is about the fragility of the human spirit, which must be patiently cultivated so trust can build slow and steady, and one day stand heart to heart on the firm, hard-packed sand of the shoreline.
And so, as another day goes by, my feet are still, I’ve got a good grip on my beach chair, and I’m ready for the next step, and….I have written.
*-this post is dedicated to my dear friend, Stacey, who has held my hand on this journey through the most miserable of winter days, and everyday since. Thanks Stace.
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