Tag Archives: who I am in Christ

~The Ocean Series~ Hair, The Beach, Salt Water and Freedom

July 3, 2018Spiritual Encouragementbeach, Christian encouragement, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, freedom, Identity in Christ, Rest in Christ, salt water, Salty air, The Ocean Series, true freedom, who I am in ChristT.W. Allgaier

There is some irony here. Why is it that when I am at the beach my hair gets kinkier, curlier and of course the frizz is at an all time high?

We sometimes spend a day at the beach and then go in to get ready to go out and eat. I use to spend time doing my hair before we went out for that “picture perfect” meal outside near the sand so we could see the moon and hear the surf.

Time not well spent. The minute I would walk out the door, my hair demanded its own way. More curl, more frizz and more kink!

And yet….. Continue reading ~The Ocean Series~ Hair, The Beach, Salt Water and Freedom →

~The Ocean Series~ Distressed Wood

June 28, 2018Spiritual Encouragementbeach house, Christian encouragement, Christian life, death of spouse, distressed, distressed beach chair, distressed wood, docks, empty nest, encouragement, Ephesians 2:10, retirement, spiritual encouragement, The Ocean Series, uncondtional love, who I am in ChristT.W. Allgaier

Distressed Wood.

My husband and I have vacationed on a certain beach a few times in the past. Each year we walked along the beach looking for a distressed wooden love seat that was left on the sand. Each time we saw it, it was more distressed than the year before.

Many things that are left out in the salt water and wind become distressed. Docks, dock posts, iron… All of these show the wear of time, and were all once new. Now they seem authentic. Pain and time have brought on wear and tear.

Funny how we age and feel like we may be distressed or “past our prime.” You may be retired, an “empty nester”, a wife left alone after the death of a beloved spouse…..

Why even the most wonderful beach houses are older and full of distressed furniture and wares. They have a story to tell. They mattered and were useful to many over the years.

The same holds true for people. Your retirement is proof that you made a mark on the world and worked hard in your career. Your empty nest is an indication that you have helped raise a generation that can now go out in the world on their own. The death of a spouse can be a testimony to how much you have loved and were loved.

You are still valuable. A season of life might have passed, but a new one is now ahead of you. Our flaws may have been exposed, our pain obvious. We ourselves may be distressed…but could they be marks of learning and living this life?

We are loved by Abba Father and can still used in ways we never thought possible!

And remember people actually buy things that look distressed when they aren’t! Hmmmmm…

~Be Encouraged Today~

~The Ocean Series~ The Leaning Palm Tree

June 6, 2018Spiritual EncouragementChrist Jesus, Christian encouragement, darkness, deceived, encouragement in Christ, foundation, God, light, Living the Christian life, Palm trees, spiritual encouragement, The Ocean Series, who I am in ChristT.W. Allgaier

The large palm tree’s fronds rustle as the tree sways in the gentle breeze. It curtsies as the wind blows near the coast.

Have you ever wondered why palm trees bend toward the water? Apparently it is for several reasons. One is “phototropism.” The trees reach for as much light as possible. Water reflects the light, so the trees reach for as much light as they can get!. Also leaning towards the water aids in reproduction because the current can carry the seeds away for dispersal.

Do we lean toward the light? Do we want as much light as possible? Or do we turn away from the light because it might expose the darkness we find ourselves in? Continue reading ~The Ocean Series~ The Leaning Palm Tree →