weekend at the sea

In celebration of Eliza's 8th grade promotion, (as well as the one and only time she will participate in track)  she, Rachel Larsen, Grandma and myself took a trip to the beach.  We drove over on Thursday to Tacoma where we had a yummy Thai dinner, a swim in the hotel and a cozy evening doing nails and reading.  We drove to Seaside on Friday morning and spent the rainy day exploring the town and enjoying the beach.  That evening we did a bit of shopping and spent the evening tucked into our cozy bungalow.   I love a stormy day at the coast.  Both Friday and Saturday I had the indulgence of two long runs on the beach.  I loved that time to pray and ask for revelation.  As usual I was answered with a gospel analogy, from the sea.  I saw a rock several miles down the beach and decided that was my goal point.  About a mile in, I came to a stream.  I ran all along the banks looking for a way to pass.  I climbed on the rocks, looked for a narrow spot to jump and even tried wading across.  There was simply no way to cross.  So I headed back.  I had given it my best effort and had been willing to be uncomfortable, but the tide prevented my crossing.  I guess sometimes in life, particularly now,  I cannot reach my goal.  I will have to wait for the tides to change.  My efforts alone won't make my desires happen.  I have to wait for a change in the tide.    I also ran among hundreds of broken shells, particularly sand dollars.  I kind of pled with heavenly Father to show me that not everything was broken.  I turned around and found a perfect sand dollar.  I have to remember that the Savior's Atonement is always whole, never broken and always perfect.  Those are my lessons from the sea.