Something in the Water
Couldn't fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, "God, if you're there come and rescue me.”
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger
There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Icebreakers and personality assessments ask questions about whether you enjoy coffee or tea. Are you an early riser or night owl? Do you most appreciate mountains or water? This information is intended to offer insight into how individuals are wired and what they prefer. Let me use myself as a guinea pig. I’m a coffee girl all the way who longs to live on an oceanside property someday in a tiny house. My dream life starts with an early morning cup of coffee and prayer while walking along the water’s edge. For me, a vacation isn’t my kind of vacation without some nearby body of water to comfort me. The favorite vacation I have enjoyed so far involves spending time in a renovated lighthouse along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, but a close runner-up is the rocky seacoasts of Maine. I love a good, quaint seagoing town. Feeling sand in-between your toes and powerful breezes from the water are holy moments. Carrie Underwood is right: “There must be something in the water.” Each time I can hang out at the beach, I am reminded of my baptism years ago, symbolized in being immersed in water in the name of Jesus.
Being near water helps me to see glimpses of my best self. I’m calmer, more present, and less preoccupied with whatever item is next on my to-do list. The environment makes me feel more childlike, with a spontaneous desire to play and enjoy the moment; to not take life for granted or take myself too seriously in the best ways. I take pleasure from inhaling the ocean’s mist and listening to waves crash into the shoreline. The natural cadence of it all is contrary to the chaotic tempos of life and constant chatter of my mind. The sense of peace that overcomes me has a way of disarming life’s stressors, which allows me to reflect on the goodness of God more fully. My breathing slows, tension loosen, and I can sense many of my worries fading away.
Nevertheless, whether or not living with some body of water in my backyard is realized one day, I am grateful to be only a short drive from various beaches, where I can feel God’s presence in a special way, and further detox my soul of negative self-talk and the harsh brokenness that contribute to the experience of being a fallen person in a fallen world. More than anything, I long to be a kid again with the Lord, trusting him with childlike faith, so the next time I head to the water my adult coloring book, colored pencils, and a renewed imagination are coming with me.
I was able to enjoy a beautiful moment recently during what I thought would be a simple morning walk on a local beach with my husband, when he had me sit down on a bench and proceeded to play “Busy Making Memories” by Josh Kelley and “Conversations in the Dark” by John Legend on his old-school boombox. Holding back tears to not go into the “ugly cry” now is my best water memory. It reminds me to stop and remember that God’s love is wider and deeper than human eyes can see.
We all need a sweet spot or space we can relocate to, mentally or physically (preferably both) when we find ourselves drifting away from God or feel that He is far away, although He is not. For me, the water’s edge will be the spot to which I return constantly to recharge. The God who meets me there is the same God who wants me to make time for Him each day. He wants to offer me a better perceptive and serenity amid calamity, peace in the face of chaos, and contentment and community across transitions. Jesus died to offer me himself, which is the greatest, most precious gift of all. For me, the question is, even though life’s wild waves will continue to crash down upon me, how do I bring the inner peace of my time spent by the water into everyday life?