Tag Archives: spiritual encouragement

~The Ocean Series~ Sand Castles

March 7, 2018Spiritual EncouragementBiblical lesson, building, Christian encouragement, Christian life, encouragment, firm foundation, foundation, Jesus, Matthew 7:26-27, shifting sand, solid foundation, spiritual encouragement, The Ocean SeriesT.W. Allgaier

Sand….good qualities out weigh the bad (as long as there are not cats around). Our family always loved building sandcastles. One year we all worked hard to make a fort full of castles. It had a moat, and a draw bridge over that moat! It took all day and we all put our hearts in to it!

People walked by and admired it. Some chatted, others took pictures. This was a FORT.

Looking at our finished work with pride, we decided it was time for dinner. We did not really want to leave, we wanted to protect it. But the reality of its disappearance was in the future and we all dreaded it.

We came back from dinner and took a walk on the beach to see if the fort had survived. It had…it was intact! There was hope! Continue reading ~The Ocean Series~ Sand Castles →

~The Ocean Series~ Simple Seashells by the Seashore

February 15, 2018Spiritual EncouragementBiblical lesson, broken shells, children, encouragement for moms, new mom, ocean, ocean series devotions, Parenting, seashells, seashells by the seashore, seashore, shells, spiritual encouragement, Unconditional loveT.W. Allgaier

SIMPLE SEASHELLS

Walking up and down the seashore is a stroll in paradise for those of us who collect shells. There are some beaches that are better than others, but one always finds some shells.

When my family would see them, we would pick them up and examine them. If the shell was whole, we would place it in our collector bag. A broken shell went back in the sand. Then the hunt began again.

One year I changed the routine. I started picking up the broken ones and began keeping them. I shared some “broken shells” ideas with the kids. We could glue them on a wooden picture frame, put them in a bowl or mirror. Soon they had ideas of their own.

I am so glad that the Father did not discard me when He found me broken. I can see my Abba walking down the shore, picking up every shell and piece of shell. It doesn’t matter the shape, size or color. Each one is precious to Him. There are none thrown away. He gently picks them up and places them in his pocket to examine in greater detail later. Each one is special, each one will have a place.

Some pieces are broken, battered and so small that they don’t even appear to come from a shell. We are torn up, broken, battered and sometimes not recognizable. Yet the Father finds us…and let’s us know that we are of use. We are loved. He gently restores us and uses us and loves us…just as we are……

So next time you are walking along that beach…pick up the shells, but don’t forget the pieces.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

~The Ocean Series~ Hunting for Sea Glass

February 13, 2018Spiritual Encouragementbroken, Christian encouragement, ocean, ocean series devotions, perfect, sea glass, spiritual encouragement, worthT.W. Allgaier

HUNTING FOR SEA GLASS

For years I have wanted to find sea glass when we go to the beach. And I have never found it before.

I did find some glass along the shoreline that was beautiful. Although one of my sons and husband asked me if I was picking up trash now. In a word..yes. I pick that up too. I cannot stand to see how people litter on our beautiful coastlines…but that is another post.

Pieces of glass that has been tumbled over and over in salt water is sea glass. The rough edges are now smooth. It also takes on a frosty look.

I guess I didn’t find it after all. Well, maybe one piece?

I found pieces of glass and china, which I still believe are beautiful. The edges are no longer sharp, and even though the pieces are broken, they still retain a beauty..and I will keep them.

It is kind of like Abba Father found me. Broken. But he buffed off the sharp, rough edges and made me a thing of beauty. I am perfect to Him because of Christ. I am worth picking up off the shoreline.

And so are you.
Actual sea glass not required.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy