I used to wonder what called me again and again to the sea. Was
it some residual ancient link to the creatures that lived in the waters that
covered the face of the earth before they evolved into creatures that lived on
the land? Or, was it something much simpler such as joyful memories of family
vacations from my childhood? A few years ago, while standing knee-deep in the
cold water of the Irish Sea, it finally occurred to me that pull upon me was
spiritual.
Put me
on the shore of a sea, ocean or gulf and I will experience God’s presence. When
I stand and look out onto the horizon, as I look overhead at sea birds in
flight, I am filled with wonder at the beauty of God’s creation. As I listen to
the steady rhythm of the tide and think of how it is effected by the moon and
the sun, I am in awe of the vast expanse of God’s creation. Watching the sea churn
and the waves come crashing onto the land as a storm passes over, I am
mesmerized by the energy of God’s creation. Away from the sounds of traffic and
pinging phones while lulled by the sound of the waves, I can center my thoughts
and prayers to God. It is such a simple thought, but deeply profound: God is so
much greater than I can describe or even comprehend. It is a peace that
surpasses all my understanding.
Last
week, as I watched a storm as it approached and turn the gulf into a stormy green
raging sea of foam, I recalled a quote of the contemplative Dame Julian of
Norwich: “And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing
shall be well.” That is what God reminds me when I stand on the shore of the
sea. All shall be well. Despite the ugliness and chaos in the world, all manner
of thing shall be well.
