Seasons

It rained this afternoon and we went to the beach...we're getting wet anyway right? It obligingly stopped raining and we had perfect conditions for boogie boarding and body surfing. I played in the waves with Jubilee and sat with her on the beach looking over my chubby pregnant legs at my husband enjoying the surf.

I love boogie boarding and body surfing, but in this season, at 7 1/2 months pregnant, it's not something I can do. I thought about this as my daughter fell asleep on my lap, lulled by the rhythm of the waves. The sun was at my back and a dark cloud was looming over the turquoise water in front of me, a white sailboat starkly contrasting with the deep purple cloud behind it. I watched my husband and others catching waves and chose to feel blessed instead of inhibited by my 'limitations'. And then my wonderful husband stopped what he was doing to point out a beautiful, full rainbow to me on the horizon. I knew then that I am truly blessed.

I may not get to play in the water as I would ordinarily enjoy doing on such a fine day, but I get to cuddle my toddler as she falls asleep knowing that soon she will be too big to hold that way. I was able to marvel at the beauty of God's creation and sit next to my husband in the sand and give him my full attention while he told me all about his passion for golf and see his eyes light up with hope and excitement as he talked about his dreams and desires. Together we were able to see dolphins playing in the surf, something I don't think I've witnessed in nature before....something all the other body surfers missed at the beach today.

I'm realizing each season has it's blessings and limitations. That I don't get to do everything I want all the time, yet I can still choose to be content and appreciate what I do get now and look forward to what I will get later. A year from now I can go body surfing again, today I can sit on the beach and enjoy the view, encourage my husband, enjoy the wonder of Gods' creation and appreciate these 'small' moments. I can choose to see my glass half full and not worry about what it might be half empty of. I can enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow when I choose to be grateful and embrace each season as it comes.