Labyrinth ~ Guest Post by Gail Neumann

 

In the quiet of autumn, while walking on the seashore, I looked for the Lord. His presence was so evident in His creation. My heart was heavy with concern for dear ones lost to rebellion and sin. I listened to the gulls and waves and felt the brisk breeze on my face. As I stepped through the crunching pebbles and soft sand I thanked Him, one by one, for the many beautiful things I observed. I noticed the sun breaking through the clouds, bleached driftwood logs resting high on the shore offering me a place to stop and contemplate. I sat and lifted my loved ones up to His throne. Then I left them in His care. 

As walked further I thanked God for His ultimate control of things out of my reach. I thanked Him for his gifts in this place where the pink shells and dried seaweed gathered at the high tide mark, the sun glinted on whitecaps, and gulls rode the waves. I sighed and enjoyed this gift of place.

Half an hour down the beach I found a simple labyrinth of large rocks placed above the tide line. Curious, I stepped into the path to follow the spiral toward the centre. As I walked, I continued to enjoy my observations and offer thanks and prayers. I watched as a kingfisher rattled a war cry and dove into the waves. It flew back to its lookout with a tiny silver fish, tilted its head, and swallowed the morsel whole. The path turned and I found myself looking back down the beach where two small children played on the shore and popped rockweed bladders. Their laughter was muffled by the wind. 

I turned again toward an exposed spit that pointed a rocky finger out to sea. It hooked back to protect a shallow pool of seawater. It had become a playground for a dog fetching sticks as his master enjoyed the shore. 

Then I turned and looked out to sea again as a boat with brilliant white sails caught the sun and the whitecaps glistened. Soon, I turned again to notice a reddish arbutus leaning over the pockmarked sandstone boulders high above the shore. 

Everything changed as I orbited the centre and observed the beach from different angles. I found sights I hadn’t noticed as I walked straight along the beach. It made me ponder the value of seeking different perspectives in other parts of my life.

The voices of others, who may have different points of view, coupled with my own, may reveal a more authentic truth. There is value in treating others as counselors rather than competition or opposition. 

I will always aim to keep God on the throne of my life but by allowing others to share their thoughts, I will have more varied perspectives, and more knowledge to make better decisions. 

What happens to my loved ones may never be in my control but God gives me beautiful moments and cares for me, and for them. He is the one who sees me from every angle. He creates beauty to soothe my soul.

Proverbs 15:22 Amplified Bible

Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,

but with many counsellors they are established and succeed.

Gail lives on the West Coast of, British Columbia. Her writing has appeared regularly in local publications. She loves swimming, hiking, and being out in nature. Multiple journals filled with daily prayers and responses are her passion. She has more writing projects on the go than she can ever seem to finish