What the Tide Revealed
Writen by: Reggie McGuire
Earlier this summer, shortly after celebrating 30 years of marriage, my wife and I had the opportunity to get away to the California coast. While I expected to enjoy the beautiful weather, the ocean views, and the iconic sunsets, I didn't expect one of my greatest takeaways to come from... rock hunting.
Actually, it started with my wife. As she walked along the shoreline in Carlsbad, while I was reclining in my chair admiring the waves, she began noticing rocks of every shape, color, and texture. Before long, I found myself watching her more than the ocean. My eyes followed her while she strolled with this childlike wonder, looking ever so closely at what each wave left behind.
A dear friend of ours who lives there has enjoyed “rock hunting” for years and often shares her favorite finds on social media. She especially loves searching for rocks with naturally formed holes, rare treasures that many people would walk right past. With her inspiration and my wife's curiosity, I joined the hunting expedition.
After a while, I noticed something. The tide wasn't creating anything new. Every wave that rolled out simply revealed what had been there all along. New rocks appeared and patterns in the sand came into view. Just when I thought I had seen everything, another wave would retreat and reveal something else. It made me wonder how often life works the same way.
My wife and I desperately needed this trip. It was one of the rare occasions since our honeymoon that we truly slowed down. We weren't racing from one commitment to another or thinking about the next item on our Google calendars. We simply rested. In that slower rhythm, we began to notice things we might otherwise have missed. Maybe that's one of the greatest gifts of rest. It doesn't just restore our energy; it restores our ability to see.
The psalmist wrote, "How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures" (Psalm 104:24). Standing on that beach, I was reminded that God's creation is always speaking to us, if we take the time to notice. Every wave, every uniquely shaped rock, and every sunset whispers of His creativity, His faithfulness, and His attention to detail.
Sometimes what we're searching for has been there all along: the beauty of creation, the kindness of a friend, a fresh perspective, or strengths within ourselves we had forgotten were there. At the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA, we talk about strengthening spirit, mind, and body. We often think strengthening comes from doing more, pushing harder, or accomplishing the next goal. But sometimes strengthening begins by slowing down long enough to notice what matters most.
As we settle into a new season this September, I want to encourage you to create a little margin in your life. Take a walk. Sit on a park bench. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Listen to the birds. Put your phone away for a few minutes. Pay attention to the people around you. Take a few quiet moments to reflect and be open to what God may reveal. You may be surprised by what He uncovers.
