His Love Displayed

Dec 17, 2023 | by The Fellowship

I grew up at the Jersey Shore. The ocean and the bay were always within minutes of our home. The beach was where I would find solace during my stressful childhood! My husband grew up in the hills of Tennessee. We met in Texas, blended into a family of five children, and cared for my widowed mom after moving her from New Jersey to Texas. The dream of owning a beachfront property was always in the back of my mind, but as we sometimes do with dreams, I held it there, never really believing it would happen.

After my dad died and my mom moved to Texas, she adapted quickly and thrived in her new location. One of her special joys was learning to paint with watercolors at the age of 75. Besides her love for God and her family, flowers, and animals (especially birds) gave her great pleasure. She painted several pictures of them, which we framed and hung in her home.

We had been caring for my mom for 15 years when she became extremely ill in the spring of this year. After several very hard months of dealing with her declining health, my husband and I decided to take a brief break for some respite and relaxation. We chose a weekend in Galveston because it would not be far away, but it would be a total change of environment. A friend offered us the use of their vacation home on the East Beach of Galveston. Before that time, we had only visited beaches on the west end of the island. We were not even aware that this peaceful area of Galveston existed! Although my husband normally found his solace in the mountains, he was pleasantly surprised at how relaxing it was to just sit, watch and listen to the waves. We had a wonderful weekend rejuvenating!

Sadly, my mom passed away in July. Having no use for a second home, we put her house on the market. My husband (who is also the answer to many prayers lifted by The Fellowship Prayer Team long ago), suggested that we begin to look at beachfront properties. Because he knew that this has always been a dream of mine, his proposal made me feel so affirmed and loved at an incredibly sad time in my life. And it did not hurt that he now realized how relaxing the beach could be!

When I discovered a particular condo was for sale on East Beach, I wanted to make it ours! However, it was not within our reach at that time. I prayed that God would hold onto it for us until we were ready. At the very time my mom’s house sold, the price of the condo also dropped! We put in an offer and to our great joy, it was accepted!

Now, we have a copy of my mom’s favorite painting hanging in the kitchen. It is a lovely reminder of her, and we have named our little nest: “Bird’s Eye View.” We have prayed over each of the rooms and for the families who will come to get away from the stress of their everyday lives.

What joy we experienced at Thanksgiving while entertaining our family there for our country’s annual day of celebrating the goodness of God. He is worthy of being praised! As you center your life on our Lord and stay in daily communion with Him, may He also bless you, and may the dreams He has put in your heart come true.

S. P.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name …
who satisfies your desires with good things. 
Psalm 103:1,5