The ocean is the sound of infinity, of healing, and refuge. I leave next month to go to one of my favorite places. The conversations on the seawall with family and friends, the sun and sandcastles, the breeze, the shell collecting and laughter, the stars and sea turtles. It’s all beautiful and wonderful.
We’ve stayed at the same place on the same beach for fourteen years.
It’s the place I’ve been healed, my marriage restored, and Truth revealed. There – I’ve learned to love more and judge less. There I think deeply, pray passionately, laugh wildly, and cry too.
It’s more than a beach. It’s a safe place from all the noise and responsibilities. There I’m unhurried and patient. There I can read for hours. There, nothing demands my attention. The only plan is to make no plans.
This sanctuary is a special place…….where I meet friends again, stay barefoot most of the day, and let the roar of the ocean cleanse my soul. It’s the otherness of the place that makes me unusually open to God, His creation, His word and His people. God has touched me in significant ways in that place.
I return from this mid-year refuge, refreshed and renewed. More than that…..mended. God takes the broken pieces of my heart and mind, my soul splinters, my ruined strength and puts them back together.
I come back restored. Rested. Ready to do normal life again.
And wait until next time.
The sound of the surf, the big washing machine of ocean, sometimes seems to rinse out my brain, or at any rate, it expands me and it slows me down.
Anne Lamott
mariegriffith.me 
you have touched me. Thank you for your words of grace. Hey I am making a Christian project for YOUTUBE, with my friends, we r raising money for charity(starting this summer). Um for more info please go to my blog. ITs the one that’s say big announcement . Hope to talk soon. From ur friend Brandon. Also need followers and support.
Thank you Brandon. I will check it out.
Can’t wait!
Can I come??? Thanks for sharing.
Yep, the more the merrier.
Love this line Marie: “God takes the broken pieces of my heart and mind, my soul splinters, my ruined strength and puts them back together.” Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you John.
Love that you have this sanctuary. This is so important for our physical mental and spiritual well beings.
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
~Carl~
I agree Carl. Thank you.
Sounds like a beautiful place where you can relax and refresh. I went to a meditation class for the first time with my friend on Monday and came away feeling revitalised. I’m looking forward to going again next week.
How blessed that we get to go away. Hope you have another great retreat next week.
Beautiful! My place is the mountains, but I’ve lived by the beach and it is also rejuvenating!
Dawn, I love the mountains and the forest, too. Anywhere outside, away from the normal is good for me. I hike often as a mini get-away. Everyone needs a place, a refuge where they can be restored. Glad you have such a place!
I went to the beach a couple weeks ago your post just brought back the relaxing sound and smell of the ocean.
The beach is where I go to reconnect with spirit…it is definitely my sanctuary.
Wow… the picture is so inviting and peaceful, makes me want to go to that specific spot. And your writing is phenomenal. The connection you make to the beach, your family and God is very special. Great job!
Thank you for your kind words Kimberly. I have more interesting photos of the beach where we go but decided to share this one from an old post.
You picked a good one….really enjoyed it. 🙂
So beautifully written! I could not agree more about the beach. Unfortunately I live in the Midwest and make it to the ocean maybe every 4 or 5 years.
I’m sure you have other sanctuaries you visit. I also go to the forest frequently to hike and get away and think and be where my phone gets no service. I need times to be still and be refreshed. We all do.
I can so relate. I am drawn to water and can’t wait to get to my own sanctuary at the cottage and beach.
It’s so good for the soul!
This is a beautiful piece of writing. Thanks for sharing it. In reading your words, I can feel the empty (in a good way) timelessness of days spent at your place of retreat.
Yes it’s just time spent……empty of any doing. Only being.