God is at the Beach....

Once again I've become convinced that God can be easily found at the beach - any beach, especially early in the morning and just before the sun goes down at night. At other times God is definitely here, but, ah, there are too many distractions! We are at our annual Hilton Head family vacation this first week of June 2005. The whole family is here. Though we thought this year may be a bit sad because of the obvious absence of my father after his death at the end of June last summer, it has been an amazingly calm emotional time. Dad has been mentioned, but only with fond memories and without tears or sadness. It was dad who decided that our family needed to have a rallying point each year for a get together. As a result he bought a timeshare with Marriott here at Hilton Head. This is our ninth year of coming to the beach this first week of June. Since that first crowded year - 22 people trying to fit into a 2 bedroom condo. We vied for days we could be here, each of us wanting the most possible time with the most people possible. Dad bought another unit the next year. Last year mom purchased yet another one. Now we have 3 two bedroom units all in the same week. It's much more comfortable now!
As we gather each year we enjoy each other and the ocean. Each family cooks one night of the week - and tries to out-do each other with what we prepare and serve. We eat very well while here! Stuffing our faces each evening is balanced with time exercising, playing, and relaxing.
It seems that not only is God found in the waves, the surf, the sand, and the old growth oaks that canopy the roads and bike paths, but God is also found in family, in community. Combine the two elements and utopia is present!
My soul is being refreshed this week. My my mom, my brother, his wife and I are all reading great books about God and the church. Mom just finished Blue Like Jazz. Paul and Terri are reading A Generous Orthodoxy, and I am reading a few books by Capon - one of which is on the parables. All have sparked great conversations that seem very appropriate in this setting. It seems that while here, surrounded by the presence of God in nature, we are all able to see God in new light and explore communal expressions of God's presence in new ways - ecclesia - church. It's been fun. I pray that we will continue to grow in grace, truth, and soul satisfaction this week!