I have recently been listening to the audiobook of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. As he analyzes the idea of story and what makes a good story and what kinds of stories we are living out in real life he said something along the lines of, “people who are really living interesting lives don’t have time to write about it.” I’d like to attribute my silence to that, I haven’t had time to write because I’ve been too busy living. That may not be entirely true, but I like to think of it in those terms.
I live on an island.
When I first heard about the Eastern Shore, I had no idea this place existed. There is an isolated strip of land that runs down from Maryland about 70 miles, connecting with Virginia Beach only by tunnel-bridge. The shore is dotted with small communities, each with a unique character, most barely large enough to host a gas station. There is no interstate. There is only one Walmart on the entire Eastern Shore. There is no Starbucks. When I left Front Royal, I was adamant about returning to an urban setting, and this is where I have found myself, a community of less than 5,000...God has a great sense of humor. Along the coast are several outlying islands, most of which are not populated at all. There is one island just before you get to Maryland, situated off the coast of the Eastern Shore and home to a small community of watermen, tourists, contractors and retirees. This is Chincoteague Island — this is the place I have chosen to call home for my two month stay on the Eastern Shore. Work is down the shore, a bit of a commute, but I am pleased with my decision to live on the island. My townhouse is on the outer side of Chincoteague Island, facing the Atlantic which is just beyond the Assateague lighthouse. The first day I was giddy as I drove across the bridge, seagulls flying overhead. As I neared my new home, there was a pungent saltiness in the air — I filled my lungs with the aroma delighted that the salty ocean was so close I could smell it! Within a week or two I realized that the salty smell is from the shellfish farm down the road and is especially pungent on days they are processing or exporting oysters...not as romantic as smelling the ocean, but I don’t mind. There are more varieties of bird here than I know how to appreciate. Some mornings I have to stop for ducks to cross the road...everything moves slowly on the island. This time of year, many of the local shops are closed. I’m told this is a busy place in the summer when tourists overwhelm the town. Just a short 5 miles away is the beach. I have enjoyed visiting the beach this time of year. Last weekend, I couldn’t help but stick my toes in the sand even though it was much too cold to be going barefoot.
There is something amazing about arriving at the ocean. Your journey, whether short or long, must come to a halt as you recognize the powerful stretch of waves ahead of you. I have reached that point on many different shorelines and I am always overwhelmed by the power displayed. How can I but stand in awe of the One more Powerful than this, the Creator that set the waves in motion. And that same Creator is living and active in my insignificant little life. How can this be? I have said it again and again, but I am continually amazed by the way God makes His presence known in the lives of His children. Each place I have traveled to, I have wondered where I am going to find community. Not just people to hang out with, but a support, a local family, a community of like-minded believers to spur me on and for me to encourage in the faith. And in each place, God has provided in ways I never could have imagined. The Eastern Shore seemed like a pretty unlikely place to find world-traveling, missional-minded fellow believers, but they are here. There may not be many of them, but by God's perfect plan, I have connected with a small group of them and other God-fearing believers, and they have become my community. When I first walked into the home where a weekly Bible study is held, I immediately knew I was among family. I was amazed by how God orchestrated my introduction to this treasured group my first week here through a co-worker who has become an immediate friend. I had no idea, but He did. I don’t know what lies ahead, but He does.
He is faithful.
He provides.
As I face questions ahead I am reminded of the prayer of Jehoshaphat as he faced a formidable army. He called the people of Judah together to fast and pray before the Lord and He concluded the prayer confessing:
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
This is my prayer. I am helpless without Him.
(2 Chronicles 20:12)
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| a Chincoteague Sunset over the bridge |
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| Assateague Beach |
