i saw this quote in the comments section of my friend Renee’s blog http://positiveboomer.net/2013/04/19/a-new-day-is-dawning/. “Yesterday’s troubles are written in sand, wiped out of existence by God’s own hand.” Having lived an hour and a half from the ocean for about 11 years (2 years in NH, 9 in NJ) I take great meaning from this quote.
photo by my friend Terri Shirley-Summerhayes
I spent joyous times walking the shoreline, or perching on large flat rocks watching the waves wash up on the beach and recede, or watching from the balcony of an inn by the beach. I watched the ocean act like God’s reassuring breath. There were times I watched a nor’easter whip up the coastline. On the news last December I watched Hurricane Sandy on the news.
walkway on Long Beach Island, NJ vintage 2010
This is the beach I frequented on Long Beach Island, NJ–after the hurricane. They will recover. They will dig out. They will mend and heal. Beauty will return to my old beach.
Our troubles are written in the sand. sometimes it feels as though they are carved in concrete. But troubles do come and go. sometimes they linger. But troubles mustn’t completely define us. We are more than our troubles and hurts. We are people of the now and the tomorrow. Write your troubles on the sand. Wait for God to wash them away and make your beach all fresh and new. Have a lovely day~
Believe Anyway 
“Yesterday’s troubles are written in sand, wiped out of existence by God’s own hand.” What a wonderful word! Thanks! Judy
thanks Judy! I was in a very oceanic mood today—and so working at reminding myself that any heartaches and hurts are washed away by His love.
Lovely Kate!
Thanks Gillly!!
Thank-you so much Kate. You are one special lady and happy to have met you my friend. hugs, Renee ♥
you are special too. your words of encouragement in my struggles for fitness mean SO much. hugs and wishing you a wonderful weekend—kate
Sometime the decades-long wait is Hard! But so well worth it–I KNOW!!! God bless you–love, sis Caddo
i hear you there my sister! all we can do is remember how very long the Israelites wandered in the desert. Milk and honey—oh it is SO worth it—love you sis
I have to say I love the Moses-leading-the-folks-through-the-desert story; I’m totally stuck crazy on Moses! And those dang Israelites–they take a hard rap about the length of that journey (due to their grumbling, stupidity, etc)–but I think they beat my time: I was 59 before I saw my way out!
your journey has been amazing dear caddo. i often feel an affinity to st peter. he was enthusiastic and heartfelt—whether he was “all in” or completel grumpy. i guess you could say i can REALLY relate to him!
I relate quite well to things in the sand. I’ve always found the beach to be a peaceful place even with the sounds of the surf and people. It’s a peace of hope in God’s creation and now I can add the visual of him washing away our hurts and troubles. Great word picture!
Thanks Debby. I agree—the beach/ocean is a restorative place for me, too. Glad to add to your visuals.
“Write your troubles on the sand. Wait for God to wash them away and make your beach all fresh and new.” This is very inspiring. With being hopeful and patient comes peace, and we forget about our troubles. Thanks very much for this, Kate.
comes peace….oh this night i love the sound of that, dear aunty uta. thanks so much. hugs
hugs back 🙂
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning . . .
And that’s a good thing because I sure need a fresh batch of mercy every day!
me too, dear heart….i just LOVE the word steadfast. It is SO reassuring and calming. I need a fresh batch every day too.
🙂
I, too, love the sea — I was born by the Atlantic, and meet my husband to be on the west coast.
When we moved again, we did so and were by a lake; next move, a river. Now we are so far very high and dry (except for hurricanes and Sandy — helped to bail out our neighbors basement). When we are on either coast, we talk long walks, looking for beach glass, and other “treasures.” We have a bottle full of sea water and pebbles created at each coast.