Dig your feet in the sand and let the water cool your toes as you escape into the beauty of God’s seaside creations, and hear His voice more clearly than perhaps anywhere else. 

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and relaxation of the beach—away from the stresses of the world and into a place of peace and refreshment. Devotions for the Beach is the gentle breeze that takes you there, to see the majesty of God and to open your heart and soul to the One who created it all. These ninety devotions explore the parallels of life with the elements of the shore to help you see God, to find hope, to draw strength, and to rest in the comfort of His arms throughout your day. Included are striking photographs with a fresh, contemporary design for timeless appeal.  

Every woman will want a copy of this book as a gentle reminder of days at the beach and the call of God’s love.

Devotions for the Beach

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Breakfast on the Beach.............................8Driftwood..........................................10Metal Detectors....................................12Final Rinse........................................14All Together Now...................................16Sea Oats...........................................18Letting Go.........................................20Swimsuit Cover-Ups.................................22Messages...........................................24Raining at the Beach...............................28Flip-Flops.........................................30Sandspurs..........................................32Boat Shoes.........................................34Grain of Truth.....................................36Seagulls...........................................38Buoys..............................................40Dolphins...........................................42Knowing Too Much...................................44Calming or Crashing?...............................48Fulgurites.........................................50Footprints.........................................52Good-byes..........................................54What Lies Beneath and Among......................56Washed-Up Remnants.................................58Volleyball Games...................................60Vessels of Honor...................................62Ship Bells.........................................64Tide Pools.........................................68Taking a Closer Look...............................70Coconuts...........................................72Remains of the Days................................74Volcanic Activity..................................76Warning Flags......................................78He's into the Details..............................80Hiding Places......................................82Sand Castles.......................................84Boardwalks and Beach Carnivals.....................88Sandbars...........................................90Pelicans...........................................92Cookouts...........................................94Sincerity of Heart.................................96Plough Mud.........................................98Ties That Bind.....................................100High Tide, Low Tide, Ebb Tide......................102Sea Glass..........................................104Leaning Palm Trees.................................108Jellyfish..........................................110Clear Nights.......................................112Reflections........................................114Penguins...........................................116Hammocks...........................................118Shucking Oysters...................................120The Perfect Beach Trip.............................122Riptides...........................................124From Sweet to Stench...............................128Nets...............................................130Big Rocks and Big Pictures.........................132Hermit Crabs.......................................134Mysteries..........................................138Manatees...........................................140Barnacles..........................................142The Path Less Taken................................144Leafy Sea Dragons..................................146Rescue by Vomit....................................148Sunset.............................................150Stagnant Air.......................................152Lighthouses........................................154Water, Water Everywhere............................158Cabanas............................................160Sunburns and Sunblock..............................162Off Duty...........................................164Shark's Teeth......................................168Hurricanes.........................................170Pebble Beaches.....................................172Turtle Walks.......................................174Sand Waves.........................................176Beach Play.........................................178Running on the Beach...............................180Distress...........................................182Boulder Beaches....................................184Salt-Air Hair......................................188Something's Missing................................190A Soul at Rest.....................................192Beach Houses.......................................194Sunrises...........................................198Off-Peak Season....................................200Grains of Sand.....................................202Sand Fleas.........................................204Salt Water.........................................208Wipeout............................................210Surfing Good Waves.................................212The L Word.........................................214Shelter............................................218Wave Jumping.......................................220Seashells..........................................222

Chapter One

Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"—knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:12

It had been a tough morning, to be sure. Following Jesus' death, several disciples returned to their regularly scheduled programming. They got up early, took their fishing nets, and ... nothing. Not a bite. Until some guy stood on the shore and called out a weird suggestion to throw their nets in from the other side of the boat.

I wonder if any of them grumbled briefly, "What difference does it make which side of the boat we throw the nets from? Who is this guy?" But by then, they were desperate enough to try anything.

Suddenly, when their nets were heavy, the same question took on a different meaning, because they knew the answer. John shouted, "It is the Lord!" and Peter could not get to Jesus fast enough. Other than suggesting that they add some of the fresh catch to His spread, Jesus' sole response was "Come and eat breakfast."

Now, wait just a minute. When read in context, the scripture notes that this is Jesus' third post-resurrection appearance, a miracle unto itself. After all, these men saw Him perish on the cross. And not only that, He's preparing a meal on the beach—not as a ghost or apparition, but as a physical being able to lift things and build a fire, etc. Then, after their own efforts had been useless, He provides an abundance of fish with one simple instruction. And after these marvels, He simply says, "Come and eat breakfast"?

Yes.

We create so much unnecessary hoopla in our own regularly scheduled programming. We plan, we implement, and we work hard ... and get frustrated when nothing comes of it. Desperate and empty, we finally look to Jesus as a last resort—because we don't recognize who He is. And sometimes, really, all He's asking is that we come join Him and take part in what He's prepared and created. The rest will come.

So declutter your mind of plans, schedules, and "to do" lists. Instead, look out upon the waves, wiggle your toes in the sand, absorb the sights, smells, and sounds, and enjoy the moment for what it is—not what it means, not what lies ahead, not how you arrived here. There will be another time for that. For now, just be present with Him.

After...