Beach Joy

Vacation time spells f-r-e-e-d-o-m! Often people travel to another locale to enjoy a time of relaxation and fun. Crooked Island, Bahamas where I now live, is the ideal spot for a holiday. A remote island in the southeastern Bahamas, it is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city, suburban and town life. Its quaint, rural lifestyle- with modern facilities- entices one to 'come apart' and meet God. Some people have asked me about my vacation plans. My response is simply Crooked Island. Why spend money on a vacation elsewhere when I have found such a scrumptious place?

My day started with meditation then a delightful breakfast of yellow grits and tuna. Micki my cat and her family thought we would offer them some tuna; but they were disappointed. Nevertheless, they remained on the mat by the sink, basking in the aroma of tuna. My nephew went fishing the previous day and brought back a cooler with a large mutton fish and some smaller snappers. They had encountered a school of snappers; and my nephew seized the opportunity to reel in those who would take the bait. Maybe Micki and family will benefit from that catch. Some people know how to catch fish; others are interested in catching men for Jesus. Later in the summer, I plan to capitalize on my heritage and discover what I have inherited from Grandpa Solomon and greatgrandpappy who were mariners... and fishermen.

After breakfast, I went to the backyard to cut a leaf of aloe. For some time now, I have not used any shampoo. or conditioner. Instead, I cut up aloe and use it on my hair. With aloe, there is no need for shampoo. I avoid all the sud in my eyes! After lathering my hair with aloe, I comb out the dirt. Whatever dirt stays has to wait for the next treatment! I never wash out the aloe. Everyone has noticed two results. My hair is thick; and it is growing. Additionally, it is returning to the baby soft texture. God has provided nature for our healing and other benefits.

.I put some aloe on my contact dermatitis - possibly poison wood. Do you know that God wants to restore us daily? He wants to return us to our first love- when we first received Him. In Isaiah 12:3, we are told about the well of salvation. This is the same well - water within springing to everlasting life that satisfies the thirst and longing of the soul . Jesus told the Samaritan woman about in John 4. She wanted that water; and when she tasted it, she could not keep the secret. The woman left her water pot and ran back to the city with an irresistible invitation to come and see an extraordinary man. Jesus remained in the area for two days!

An errand occupied me as I sat with an elderly bereaved neighbour. We talked for a while; and many callers heard my voice first. One caller wondered if it was the right number! From there, my errand took me to visit another elderly resident. I invited her to bathe her swollen feet in the water at the beach during ebb tide. That remedy worked for me when my left foot, which had been injured in a fall years ago, began to retain fluid. Only a few pairs of my shoes fit. Bathing my feet in the salt water produced marvelous results. Although I have some shoes that will not fit still, I am thankful and overwhelmed with joy because some shoes do fit. There is no shoe store on this island so living by faith is not simply a song. Living with joy daily has to be an attribute of life on this island.

By the time I was finished my errands, it was time to visit my spiritual daughter and her family. Juliece was waiting for me at the door. Jermia, who at eight months is still toothless, bounced with joy. It is through Jermia that I am officially Godmother; so the whole family is mine! Today, Juliece and Shaniece - the twins- recognized this fact on their own and announced that I am their Goddy. I was visiting them to get a new hairdo- guinea row and shingles.Jermia started the drama when she could hear my voice but not see my face. She had been placed in her walker. Eventually, she ended up in my lap and was comfortable. Then boredom set in. I sang my original El Shaddai for her; and all the congestion that had been choking her surfaced - landing in my hand and my lap! Each time I sang it, more came up with the cough. El Shaddai is more than enough for any situation!

Jermia began to fight sleep; or she was just miserable. I took her outside and walked her up and down the sidewalk. She went to sleep. Just to be sure she was sleeping, I made one lap around the house - followed by Juliece and Shaniece. When I passed Jermia to her mother, she was sleeping. But all shut eye aint sleep is a profound saying. As soon as her Mom put her in the bed, she began to wail. Right then I made the decision: beach. By the time we reached the car, Jermia did not have a tear stain on her face! In fact, she had a toothless smile and she searched diligently for the horn on the steering wheel! She wanted her Mom to hurry.

Within less than five minutes, we were at the cabana.Juliece and Shaniece scrambled out of the car. However Juliece lingered and asked if she could close the doors of the car. As we walked to the cabana, she asked politely if we were going to swim. Of course not! But when that refreshing breeze -the zephyr hit me,I regretted not wearing my jean skirt with shorts underneath. Temptation! How could I resist? How could I expect Juliece and Shaniece to resist getting their feet wet? Nevertheless, I set boundaries. No sand. No beach. Sit on the bench or at the picnic table. Juliece wondered if we were going to have food. She had attended a party about a week earlier; and she remembered the experience. No food. Jermia remained quiet for a while then she began crying again. I made several laps around the picnic tables - followed by Juliece - singing Jesus Is My Deliverer and Jesus Loves Me.With Jermia sleeping and the refreshing sea breeze guaranteeing a good nap, their Mom finished my hair. Then Juliece, Shaneice and I headed to the sand.

Juliece and Shaniece could not understand why they could not enter the water. I could not understand it either! We were so close to its splendor- pure,clear and clean. The water beckoned but I resisted. We kicked off our sandals and began searching the sand for shells. Shaniece ferried the shells to her Mom while Juliece explored the sand. She had sand on her face, around her mouth.. all over! Surely she needed to wash the sand off. I stretched and rolled in the sand for a while; then joy overwhelmed me. Didn't Psalmist David in Psalm 34 say to taste and see that the Lord is good? We had pure, clean sand with specks of pink and water so clean and clear that if you lost money and did not stir up the sand, you would recover it. Why not enjoy it? Juliece was so eager to get near the water. We sat at the edge and allowed the waves to bathe our feet. I held Juliece's dress up so that it would not get wet. One giant wave came in and wet the hem of my dress. So be it.

Joy is not static.We needed to walk. Shaniece joined us as we walked along the sand and the edge of the water. Occasionally, I allowed the water to swirl around their feet. then we moved on . It was time for exercise. My sister gave me a memorable poster before she died. It read: I walk with God to exercise my faith. As I viewed the bay geranium, morning glory, bay lilac, coconut palm, sea oats and young sea grapes, my heart pounded with praise. In the distance, Bird Rock Lighthouse stood as a sentinel of time. Jesus admonished believers to be a light that cannot be hidden...shining bright in the darkness of the world.As one who has cruised to Crooked Island on a motorized vessel called a mailboat, I know the importance of Bird Rock Lighthouse and some of the other lights that are significant to mariners who ply the ocean.

Since we had brought no food and the tropical sun stirs up thirst and hunger, I decided to head back to the cabana. Jermia was wailing again; and her pitiful screams signalled the need to hurry. At the cabana I brushed off the sand and assisted Juliece with her sandals. Shaniece and I wore flip flops. Soon everything was in the car and we were on our way home. Jermia quieted and her tears evaporated again. She was back to the comfort of home. Juliece, the spokesperson, expressed thanks on behalf of her siblings. After a three point turn, I was heading home.By this time my 'live' hair had shrunk and curled.

 My nephew complimented me on the hairdo and told me about his experience. He and a sea hawk had battled for a fish.Did he get a photo? No, he was too busy fighting for the fish!The sea hawk was relieved when it got free ;and it flew away. Joy rushed me again.Who expects a free flying bird to be hooked because of something as natural as a meal? The message to me was not to watch my diet but to avoid the hook!

What a refreshing day I had in the Lord. With joy overflowing, I have just begun to write. Thank God I got a nap after my time at the beach! I am grateful for beach joy too.