Our Sea Glass Journey

Jodi H. Grubbs
1 day ago
4 min read

Has a piece of sea glass ever caught your eye, glistening on the grainy sand near your feet as you’ve walked the beach or lakefront?

I used to play in a cove of sea glass as a little girl. I can still hear the gentle back and forth swishing of the glass, sand, and pebbles, not to mention being entranced by the bursts of sunlight shining through - creating sparkling art that resembled the stained glass church windows that I now love to gaze at as an adult.

The journey of sea glass becoming transformed is a story of both/and, much like our daily journey. What may have started out as a bottle being thrown away, floating on the sparkling sea, most likely ended with it being thrown against the rocks and cliffs by incoming waves, shattering the smooth silhouette into sharp pieces. These shards tumble through the vast salty sea, get dragged around by currents along the sandy bottom, and bounce off rocks, shells, and coral, sometimes for years. Sigh. Sound familiar?

Sea glass expert, Mary Beth Beuke says, “Like us, sea glass has been on a tumultuous journey. It’s been broken first of all, then subsequently discarded into the sea or body of water. It has endured a wild journey and has been pummeled by storms, tossed by waves and tide, and with the washing of briny, salt-water is always … wonderfully restored.”

When we pick up a smooth piece of sea glass on a walk, turning it over in our hands, we are holding a piece whose jagged edges have been rounded down by time and the elements.

Transformation is an invitation to slow down. To let the elements do their work. To hold space for ourselves and others as we move through both joys and sorrows. To make a place for our brilliant sea glass-selves on this journey of days that are bumpy and days where the sunlight shines through and illuminates the way. And here’s an encouraging thought on this journey: When the sun’s rays hit sea glass, the glass piece sparkles, regardless of whether it’s still a newly broken shard or a smooth, tumbled, and weathered treasure.

To Contemplate:

Whether you are slowing down to catch your breath before the Fall activities hit, or you have just finished an extended time of slower summer days ~ I encourage you to slow down enough to contemplate how you are coming into this time at the end of August.

Do you feel rough around the edges, in the middle of being dragged about through the currents of this past season?
Or are your edges starting to smooth out from your beach time, where the sunlight is hitting you just right?
Have you been resting on the sand, ready to be picked up and repurposed?

To Linger in:

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) has this to say: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

And my favorite blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) says: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Linger with these two sets of verses and read them aloud to yourself. I think you will feel God’s presence with you.

An Invitation:

As the summer months come to an end and a new season is right around the corner, I invite you to pause right where you are. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.

Imagine your life like a blue or green piece of weathered sea glass.

Let God hold you gently in the palm of His hand. Give him your desires for transformation or for restoration. Tell him what you have endured or what you’re grateful for. Let him smooth your rough edges. Let God hold you up to the light of his beautiful Love.

A Blessing For You:

In this season of pause

With waves crashing all around you

May you lament what has been lost

And rejoice over new mercies

While holding hands open in absolute hope.