In. Out. Give. Receive.

Wave on Ft. Bragg, CA Beach, March 2009

Which is more important? Breathing in or breathing out?

Which is more important? The incoming wave on the shore, or the outgoing pull of the sea?

Which is more important? Giving all I have to Jesus or taking all He has to give to me?

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in a big, deep breath. Keep pulling in. Inhale as much life-giving oxygen as you hold. Then try to breathe in some more. There's a limit to what you can hold. There's also a limit to how long you can hold it. Gasp. It all rushes out along with used air and toxins. The body rids itself of what it can't use. And fresh oxygen washes through the brain, alive for another few seconds while the life rhythm continues. In. Out. Life in. Death out.

Waves wash against the Pacific shore. White against blue, churning sand and rocks to stillness. Only to be pulled back, cleaning the shore again. Seashell gifts sprinkled here and there to surprise patient treasure hunters. The rhythm is endless and essential to life at the shore, the pull of the moon raising and lowering the waters at different points in the cycle. Bring in life. Pull out debris. In. Out.

God's unselfish blessings raining down on both the good and the bad. God's endless love supporting life's rhythm. He generously gives more then my little cup can give, just like ocean waves , repeatedly advancing, bathing the shore in all He has to give. Do I know this little cup of life is from Him, a precious gift of Himself to rescue me from sin and myself? As I look to Him and receive all He has to give, I can see there would be more room for His blessings if I'd clean my life's house. Like a cleansing wave He pulls out all I am willing to give, willing to be completely cleansed. I give my time, my self, my family, my talents, my money, my desires, my thoughts, my everything. And when I give will I loose all? No, because just like an inward breathe, or the rhythm of the sea, He is there with the incoming wave of all that I need. Everything I have is like a filthy rag compared to all He has to give. Give. Receive. Give all. Receive all. God is all I need.

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