Beauty at the Sea

           We first saw her 4 years ago, we were immediately captivated by her beauty.  She stood tall just a short walk from the waters tide.  The first time we saw her we were staying next door in a modest two bedroom townhouse, she towered over us and her modern details stood out in comparison to our 30+ year old townhome.  She had a lot to boast about, the exterior covered in windows, the way her roof curved to make the oceans, sometimes, furious winds still seem gentle, two huge balconies, one that had a rectangular pool another with a fire pit and lots of seating. 


          We have been fortunate to visit the beach a lot in the last 4 years and every time we drive down to look at the house we grew to love.   When we aren't at the beach we have dreamed about her too. Brian, my husband, found her on the internet and we have looked at her photos and again talked about how much we loved her.

         Last week we went on an "escape the snow" getaway to the beach.  We took the kids and enjoyed time away as a family.  The weather was warm enough that we were able to ride bikes the majority of our time there.  One afternoon I was trailing behind my husband and without him saying a word I knew where we were going.  We pulled into her driveway and immediately we both started grinning. As we walked the beach in front of her we couldn't help but notice that prettier, more modern, more amazing homes were being erected around her.  She had been such a standout and suddenly she was fading while others were being noticed. 

         The clear glass balcony was suddenly not so clear and a little more dingy, her white exterior had been hit with sandy winds a few too many times and they too appeared dingy.  While still a gorgeous home and a dream to be right on the beach I suddenly felt let down.  I started to say this to my husband when he spoke first "man the house has kind of gone down hill, huh?" he stole my words.  He felt the same way. 

         I then looked out to the ocean and was immediately reminded that the beauty of man fades, but things created by God, like the ocean, they remain majestic and beautiful forever.  I want to be less impressed with gorgeous beach houses and more impressed with the beach and the one who made it.