Upheld In The Grandeur

The Beach

The incredible contrast between summer and winter struck me as I strolled the length of beach at Lake Coeur d’Alene last week.

To be more concise, the colorful trees pointed to the brilliance of autumn, but the slight wind asserted the chill of winter into the air. Brrr. I pulled my jacket closer and pulled on my gloves.

However, the sun still sparkled on the water and the waves lapped gently against the sand.

A few walkers smiled their greetings as they passed me. Some had to tug on their dog leashes. After all, dogs like to investigate, not just walk by like people. In my mind, I could hear the sounds of children shrieking in the hot summer and running along with beach toys. I remembered the colorful bathing suits, towels and umbrellas littered all over the beach.

The Quiet

But none were there this day. I could hear myself think in the quiet. I had my pick of parking places, right close to the beach.

I could sit on any bench I wanted and watch the lake. I noticed the fattest ducks I’ve ever seen lolling around the shoreline. They must have had a most successful summer season. Moms, Dads and the kids sat, waddled or floated lazily. Seagulls, so plentiful in summer (one dropped a whitish bomb in my hair on this same beach a few years ago!) were gone. I saw one fly across the sky.

The Nostalgia

I gazed toward Independence Point, closer to the city, where a group of seniors boarded the lunch cruise boat on the pier jutting out. I remembered when that pier held all kinds of exciting rides and carnival activities when I was a child. A ferris wheel protruded over the end of the pier where now a pontoon airplane was drydocked. At the same time, I recalled the thrill of riding the big wheel over the water, I wondered how they got the pontoon up on the pier for the winter.

The park behind me, full of picnickers, musicians and vendors all summer, now tossed around orange, yellow, red and brown leaves, showcasing the splendor of the changing season.

Be Still

I am so glad I took the time out of my so very busy schedule to take this field trip to the lake. My soul rested in the peace.

I sighed in contentment, filled with the glory that is God’s. This is what He means when He says to be still and know He is God.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10).