Somewhere Better Than the Beach

I miss the beach. I haven't been to the beach since 2018. I may never see another beach. I tell myself it doesn't matter where I am, and it doesn't. Really, it doesn't. There is beauty everywhere. There is peace everywhere. Being content does not require the beach or the mountains or anything else, and I'm really not going to say "but..." anything either. But nothing. I could take a trip, go to the beach and it would be wonderful. But I have been to many beaches many times, and I have found that once you are there for a certain amount of time, it's not the total fulfillment that you expected anymore. By now I think just the memory of the beach has become almost as good as being there. Seeing a picture of a beach, or painting a picture of a beach is just as satisfying as actually being at the beach. Am I rationalizing, trying to convince myself that it's okay if I never see another beach? Maybe, I don't know, but I can hear the sound of the tide rolling up on the shore outside my window at night in Manzanillo, the song of the seagulls by day, collecting sea shells and taking in the expanse of the sea, looking out at where the water meets the sky. It's all so lovely. But there is something much better than going to the beach, and I'll tell you what that is. It is contentment. What is contentment? Tome it is being absolutely at peace with wherever you are, grateful and able to be happy. Contentment is a place in your soul where it is not necessary to go anywhere or to do anything to achieve that feeling that everything is all right, and everything is going to be all right, because, as some old saying has expressed it, "God's in His heaven - All's right with the world" -- a line from Robert Browning. That's one way to describe contentment. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Another thing about memory, it can bring back the serenity of those moments you remember that were especially fulfilling, but along with the place is the people you were with. My sister left this life in 2018. I hope I will see her again, but for sure I will not see her again in this life. My parents are gone and the lady my dad was married to who had the house in Mexico is gone, and all I have is the memories, and that is enough for now. There is also, of course, the loss of people as you get older, and the need for contentment increases. The restlessness needs to diminish, the urge to leave where you are and go start a new life somewhere else, and I don't even want to tell you how many times I have done that. But I can say now, with Paul, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13). So, I just want to thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes to live inside the believer in Jesus Christ, who makes himself known to those who repent of their independent, godless and reckless ways and learn of him. "Come to Me," Jesus said, "all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). And that is where I want stay, and I hope God will speak to your heart and you will find rest for your soul in following Jesus.