My family recently took a beach vacation. The condo we rented was a perfect location for us to relax and enjoy time together. The boys and I played pickleball a few times. We went to eat at our favorite restaurants. We enjoyed the pools and the views. I love everything about the beach except one teensy little detail: SAND. It’s inescapable. It’s almost as if an invisible fairy sneaks into your car when you first arrive and sprinkles sand all over the interior like it’s pixie dust.
My parents remind me that my disdain for sand began at a young age. They tell stories of me sitting on the sand as a baby, demanding that someone continually clean the sand from my hands and feet. I still cringe at the feeling of sand between my toes…or ESPECIALLY in my beach shoes. I would consider just staying barefoot, but I’m too tender-footed to walk on the rough, hot surfaces that precede the sand.
When I was younger, my hatred of the sand honestly prevented me from enjoying all the other beautiful aspects of the beach. Yes, the sand is plenteous, but there are so many limitless other parts of a beach trip that I love. Now, Jenny and I could very happily sit in our chairs under our umbrella, listening to music (I control the playlist), staring out at the horizon as the waves come in and go out, all day long. I still dislike the walk to our spot. I still cringe at the thought of me putting my beach shoes on my feet and feeling the sand as we exit. But that one negative aspect doesn’t come close to diminishing the other beautiful scenery and moments that accompany it.
Sometimes, if we’re honest, we treat our church experience like I used to view the beach. We focus on one or two aspects that, in our mind, seem like massive issues. The more we dwell on the negative, the more we render ourselves incapable of enjoying the many other ways God is blessing us. Eastmont is a special people gathered together in a special place for a sacred purpose. The Lord is bringing new families into our presence every week. The gospel is faithfully preached and shared on Sundays and every day. Needs are being met. Certainly, we have our blemishes, but if we open our eyes to the beauty of the Kingdom breaking into our world, there’s no other response we can give except, “Thank you, Lord, for my church family.” I can’t wait to see the Lord reveal his next big blessing for His glory. I hope you’re just as eager as I am.