Scripture Reference:

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,  plans to give you hope & a future.”

I Corinthians 2: 6-10
…”Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love him.”

Isaiah 6: 1-3
“He will give you a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Romans 8:28
“All things work together for good to them that love God.”

Reflection:
Our lives are an adventure and as Christian Surfer Girls we get to surf the most beautiful breaks in the world in a quest for the perfect ride. My adventure took a significant turn in Maui where I had a bright future ahead of me, a vivid vision of what my life would be. As far as I was concerned, I was living the life of my dreams. I would sit overlooking the beach break and think to myself, “ I am totally fulfilled and content. I do not need anything more in this life” But this blissful glimpse was fleeting and my plans were not God’s plans.

In less than a year I lost everything including a late-term pregnancy of twins, my husband, my home and my dog. It was if my slate had been wiped clean and to say that this was utter devastation would be grossly understated. I prayed and cried for two years straight. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had a young son and was in graduate school with too much responsibility in my life to just collapse. Life seemed impossible but it was at this moment that Jesus used surfing to save me.

I would journal everyday and pour my grief into the pages because I wasn’t ready to engage with anyone else. Then one day I took a break and went surging I paddled so hard and felt the emotional and mental struggle give way to physical exhaustion.  Suddenly I felt Jesus with me walking on the water and I was at peace. I went home and slept soundly for the first time since my life fell apart. I awoke with a sense of renewal, a healing work God had done through the night. Needless to say I surfed the next day and most days there after.

It took me a long time to allow God to transforms my perspective but I slowly began to see a glimmer of hope. My anxiety and fear were eventually replaced with the idea that a clean slate was limitless and meant that I could do anything! I slowly let go of what I thought life would be to embrace what it actually was. And while my pain is still deep, my love of God is deeper for this experience. He reached in and gave me his Hand and His heart at the most critical time in my life. He miraculously wove together all of my needs, gifting, and desires with surf culture into an anting opportune to lead a ministry I never could have imagined for myself. I needed CS more that they needed me and the profound sense of joy and being to this community is truly the realization of God’s promise of beauty from ashes.

In the end, it is always good to make plans but hold on to them loosely. If your life feels messy at the moment it is ok! He uses the mess to make meaning and to draw you nearer to Him. All plans realized or not quite reached, lead us to God and reveal the future He has in store for us. Absolutely everything is happening for a reason, especially the difficult parts. So when the world and your life seem uncertain, take heart and take to the surf, because Jesus has overcome the world and is working ALL things together for your good!