As children, we learn as we play.  Everything is a lesson soaked up with joy.  Children are hungry to learn—just try getting a child to let go of the word “WHY?”  Children embrace change.  Children do not let the tide discourage them from building sandcastles.

Even children know the fragility of a sandcastle. They are tricky to build – the sand must be moist to hold together, but too moist or too near the surf and it melts.  Foundations must be built if you want height.  Moats must be dug and extra walls built to slow the effects of creeping waves.  Yet all is temporary.  If the tide does not quickly wash it away, wind, rain, and time will still crumble all.  Even so, a new castle will be joyfully built in the next visit to the beach.

Everything of this world is a sandcastle.  I struggle to remember this.  I spent too much energy fighting the inevitable tide with moats and walls instead of embracing the joy of building the castle and anticipating the camaraderie and fun of the next castle.

I allowed the tide to discourage me from building sandcastles--forgetting that memories and revelations endure beyond the castle.

Little children embrace the ephemeral.  Maybe that is why Jesus told us we must be as little children to enter his Kingdom.  The castles and kingdoms of this world will fade, but the kindnesses and encouragements that took place as they were built will endure in the next world.  My images and words may be washed away in the flood of images and words that inundate us daily – I simply pray that God’s grace will allow the peace and love I send out with them will them will endure.

Peace be with you!

--Leigh