the Fourth Week of Advent
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Daily Devotionals
Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
One of the things that I enjoy about Myrtle Beach is, of course, the beach. Each morning while there I took the opportunity to go down to the beach with a couple of those mornings giving me the chance to take a walk. Even though the temperatures were in the thirties most mornings it was still pleasant and enjoyable. How can a walk in that beautiful a setting not be enjoyable with the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean?
As I would take these walks I would also notice the various footprints. There were a number of different shoe tread designs along with several sizes of dog prints. One person evidently had a rather large dog with them on the beach judging from the breadth of the paw print. Also there were the usual bird prints from the erns grazing the shoreline for food. Then there's the shells.
How often have you walked a beach and picked up those sea shells without recognizing the fact that each one represents a life that has been lost in the struggle of the ocean floor? The different shells all indicate a different species of sea life that has died. There was no formal burial. Their remnants just get washed up on shore for beachcoming tourists to collect. Now I want you to consider something.
Ever read the obituaries in your local newspaper? I read them every day. The Lexington Herald Leader has obits from all over the state so I am able to keep up with those I know from other areas who have died. But what about all the ones I don't know? How many of them died without a family member present? Or died in the midst of a family feud? Or died from a violent act? I've often wondered if they died secure in the knowledge of Christ's salvation or frightened about an unsure, unsecure eternity.
The beauty of it is; God cares. "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31 Nothing escapes God's eye or His heart. We need to learn from God. Maybe we don't know everyone on the obit list of a newspaper, but we know a God who can help their families. We collect sea shells on a beach. Why not collect prayer needs from an obituary?
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' Copyright 2010 © Tom Kelley. 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to https://www.studylight.org/ 2) 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
