Wrote the following last week after our recent trip to Florida; used the thought at "What's for Supper?" at the Clarion Church of Christ last night.......

Picking up Seashells

Written on March 3, 2003

On our recent vacation to Florida, my husband Jim and I spent a part of a day picking up seashells on a small island just off the west coast. Some places there were more shells than sand.

"Shelling", as the sport is known, was fun. At first, my eyes trained on the "perfect" shells. Didn’t want anything out of the ordinary. Certain sizes. Mostly white. Didn’t want any that were broken. It wasn’t long before I was bored with the same old shells. My eyes began to search for "unique" ones. Black ones. Nearly see-through shells. Pearly white shells. A one-of-a-kind shell appears to have another dozen smaller shells "growing" into the fabric of the larger, host shell. I added the only starfish I spotted, to my bagged collection.

As I searched and picked up the sea treasures, I began to think of God and how he must see each of us. We may believe that He looks for only "perfect" ones: people who are all like those next to them.

I wonder if the opposite is true? Does He like those who stand up for what they believe, even if it is different than most others? What about those of us who aren’t as pretty, smart, or with some physical imperfections?

When He comes to reclaim us as His Own, will we be amazed when He walks by those we assume should be picked up first, and picks us? He first chose us before we were born. Next, we have chosen Him, which makes us unique, special, perfect in His eyes! We are ready to be a part of his bagged collection, which He takes home with Him as souvenirs, for all of eternity.