Lessons from the Sea: How to Move from Depleted to Full
Depleted to Full
We’re currently staying in a little cove that looks out at the sea. Once a day at low tide the cove is completely drained, water pulled out into the ocean, muddy, pocked sand exposed.
Our little cove cannot try and wish with all its might to be filled again, but it’s the ocean that comes and refills it till waves return, lapping up on our rocks. The seals and crabs swim back in.
I’ve seen that drained cove everyday and oh how I know the feeling, depleted and empty. It’s only with the power of another that it’s filled.
That is how I have come to know true strength over the last years of depletion and weakness. I’ve found the strength that sustains comes when I’m dependent and surrendered to the external power- that ocean of love that fills me up more fully and truly than any amount of willpower or self-reliance.
I don’t have what it takes to conjure up the kind of strength I need to perform the work before me with patience and love and grace, but when I’m weak that’s when God’s strength moves faithfully in full force and fills again.
(above from a 2021 journal)
Verses for Peace
Scripture has sustained me through particularly tumultuous seasons. Focused time early in the quiet morning has been vital. I truly believe staying daily rooted in God’s Word is the key to living my very best, most fulfilling days. Here are a few verses that have been constant companions during those trying seasons:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5: 3-5
Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:5-7
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:20-23
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
“...I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:3-5
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all art by Katy Rose