Nothing's better than a snore and a s'more

By Mary Regina Morrell
©Catholic Online 2005

"Notice the ravens, they do not sow or reap, they have neither storehouse or barns, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds?" (Luke 12:24)

There is something out of the ordinary in crossing the bridge over Barnegat Bay to the island towns of Ortley Beach, Lavalette and Seaside Park. As soon as I get to the other side my whole body relaxes and I breathe a sigh of relief.

One can sense the beach and the magic of the ocean seems to penetrate the body with peace.

Beach living is a special experience and so are those rare friends who are "beach people." My dear friend John is a beach person. Husband of Rose (the Ultimate beach person!), father of five "beachlings, grandfather of one and an "almost," and writer at heart. This is a man who delights in the most important things in life - family and friends. This is also a man who can create an outstanding turn of the phrase in a heartbeat.

Take, for example, his exuberant description of a new "toy" - a battery operated screw driver -- as "a roller coaster for the hand!"

Or his most recent declaration upon waking from a brief late-night ocean air snooze after making s'mores in an outdoor fireplace and sharing some conversation: "There's nothing better than a snore and a s'more!" he exclaimed with a sleepy grin on his face.

Ah, the simplicity of it all.

That's what real "beach people" are all about -- the simple things; the priceless things - sunrise over the ocean, sunset over the bay, the sound of waves, the smell of rain, laughter, music, a really good hot dog.

Jesus had the heart of a beach person - a heart of gratitude for the extraordinary gifts of his Father -- no doubt relishing every setting sun, every evening walk with one of the apostles, a fire on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a simple dinner with Martha and Mary and Lazarus, time to pray.

But still, there was one gift above all others that Jesus treasured - love - love directed toward his friends, his family, his mother; love that drew him to heal, to teach and to lead others to God; love that lead him to the cross.

Jesus would be the first to agree with a contemporary beach maxim: "It's not the furniture; it's whose sitting in it that matters."

If we have friends and family sitting in our furniture - whether it's at the beach, at home or in the office -- then we need to fill up our hearts with gratitude.

God has already filled up our lives with love.

_______________

Mary is the author of Angels in High Top Sneakers from Loyola Press, syndicated columnist and writer of spiritual materials. She is happy to be a life-long catechist.

Contact

Diocese of Metuchen
http://diometuchen.org NJ, US
Mary Regina Morrell - Associate Director, Office of Religious Education, 732 562.1990

Email

mmorrell@diometuchen.org

Keywords

beach,snore,s'more,Jesus

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