Searching for Shark's Teeth

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

When our children were very young, we were at the beach and all they wanted to do was search for shark’s teeth. There had been other years with other searches, so we knew how this was going to go down. Kristen would find kids to play with on the beach, Caroline would end up finding all the shark’s teeth and Michael would end up in tears. This time Bruce and I had a plan so that Michael could feel victorious. We went to the store ahead of time and as they were picking out their beach toys, we were picking out shark teeth. Once it was time to walk on the beach and search for the hidden treasures Bruce would plant the teeth in certain areas and I would distract Caroline in other areas. We were determined to let Michael have some success before Caroline snatched up all the prizes. Michael was always so distracted by the birds and the people that he rarely looked down. But finally, on that day, as Bruce lovingly guided him to certain areas on the beach, he was able to collect a few shark’s teeth in his bucket. Caroline also found a few that day and the world made sense one again! I remember wanting so badly for Michael to find what he was searching for and I never took my eyes off on him while holding Cara’s hand. The joy on his face became the joy in my heart.

That is the way our Father is as He guides us through life and important decisions. He has placed the answers and the blessings upon our path and if we allow Him to guide our decisions, we will never miss our treasures. Without God being on the path with us in every step we run the risk of missing the message…run the risk of making the wrong decision…run the risk of missing the joy. God has a storehouse of blessings for you and for me and has the desire to help us discover His good and perfect plan. He takes us by the hand when we become distracted and lovingly walks us to the prize.

‘God is stronger than all our struggles with direction, our wrong turns and circuitous routes. He is able to guide each one of us – even those of us who feel completely lost.’ Stronger – Angela Thomas-Pharr, p. 62