God, hushpuppies and a Apple Ugly

That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. And He spoke many things to them... - Matthew 13:1-2

When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.                                               - Rainer Maria Rilke

FriscoPier_Main Sometime (O-dark thirty) on Saturday morning my family will be leaving for a two-week sojourn to Cape Hatteras, NC. As we settle in my wife’s parent’s beach house after a twelve-hour drive we will be at our favorite place on the planet. Soon afterwards the unwinding will start and the ocean breeze will start to slough off the remains of the day.

The smell of salt in the air, the warmth on our skin and the seafood…all contribute to the beach bum hush puppiesmentality that we readily adapt to. I can wait to savor hushpuppies and my first Apple Ugly (Think Apple Fritter on steroids) in apple-ugly-so-yummyover two years. Yet, I yearn for something much deeper than those Hatteras treats.

And He spoke many things to them...

The Father uses the ocean to speak to me and that is what I’m really Cape_Hatteras_Lighthouse_098going for. I enjoy all that other stuff but I long for a special connection to God that happens when I am by the sea.

The ocean waves have this effect on me and I feel cleansed and renewed. The wind is strong at Hatteras and some days it whips the sand up furiously, sandblasting you in the process. Even then, there is something spiritual happening and the metaphor of gunk stripping away becomes all too real.

friscobeachI’m not sure of how much attention my blog will get during these next two weeks but my heart will be getting plenty.

In and for Him,
Jay

 

 

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Comments

jasonS said…
I don't know what an apple ugly is, but I want one! I know you'll have a blessed and amazing time. Sounds like you're going expecting to hear those amazing things, and God never disappoints. He's able to do abundantly more than we can ask or think according to the power at work within us- yes, glory be to God.

Be blessed, friend...
Loren said…
I have to say I can relate with the post. I rarely get to the sea but when I do ....God moves in ways like no other for me. His beauty, His creation, His Word ~ there is no way to describe it.

Have a blessed trip as you experience refreshing with your family and your Father is a whole new way!
Unknown said…
Jason,
Apple Ugly are the best, especially if you get them hot! I do expect the Father to speak (I find He's always talking)...I'm just hoping I listen!
Will try to keep up on your blog...

Peace,
Jay
Unknown said…
Loren,

The ocean at Hatteras is so awesome! Thanks for the well wishes! Hoping to read you blog on vacation but those waves might just keep me busy!

Blessings,
Jay
S. Etole said…
Trusting you to hear well ...
Duane Scott said…
Mmmmmmmmmmm.......... Hushpuppies. So jealous!

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