Seashells By the Seashore: God's Beautiful Design

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

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This past Christmas I was at a beach with my family. As I walked along the shore I was looking for seashells. The beach was covered in them, like I had never seen before. One day I was walking alone. I would walk a little ways and then sit down and watch the waves come crashing in. I saw a lot of broken seashells and a lot that had been churned in the waves against the sands. Their shape and texture had been changed gradually over time before reaching the shore. One piece of a shell stood out to me so I picked it up. It was thick and heavy. It was a bright white amongst the other shells and so soft to the touch. I held it in my hand, turning it over and over just like it had done in the water before reaching me. I felt like God was speaking to me at that moment. He said, “Look at this shell. It once had sharp edges from being broken many times. It may only be a piece of a shell, but it is still a seashell. It is the strongest part that survived the journey to your hands. I created it and though life took pieces of it, I still see it and care for it. I showed my love for it by allowing the sands, which are just broken pieces of other shells, to make it new.”

Wow, that really got me. God said nothing will ever be wasted. I was seeing that example right there on the beach that day. The sand I was walking on was just pieces of seashells, broken off bit by bit over time. The healing journey cannot be done alone. God uses other people, often broken themselves in many ways, to encourage and guide us along the way. It is because of their broken pieces, they can help us too. Our stories and testimonies are what bring others to the shore. As we trust in God, He churns and churns us until we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can persevere through the trials of life that feel like crashing waves knocking us down over and over again. My broken pieces are now a part of the trillion specks of sand that smooth the jagged edges of other people’s broken story. My struggle will never be wasted (Romans 8:28). That is the beauty of God’s design.

I thought about my life as I stood there holding that smooth seashell. There has been plenty of brokenness along the way. But it has been other people’s imperfect stories that have encouraged me and revealed hope. Their testimonies of how they made it to the shore shines a light on the dark waters some of us may still be in. I love that piece of shell because it reminds me that my story isn’t over yet. God is healing my hurt and pain by churning it in the sands of life. That means counseling, prayer, dedication to thinking differently, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me. It’s also reading the Bible, attending church, spending time with healthy Christian friends, praising and worshiping God, and sharing my testimony. My rough edges are smoothed as I strengthen my relationship with Jesus. When you have been tossed about in the sea of life, know that there is someone right there with you every step of the way. His name is Jesus. And when you make it to shore, He will be there also to pick you up and carry you into a new and amazing life. Now smoothed by the trials of life, you can be an example to those who are still on their healing journey. Then you will be proof that sharp edges can be temporary if others will also follow Jesus. Revelations 2:17 says one day, all overcomers will be given a white stone with a new name. When Revelations was written, a white stone represented innocence. Receiving a white stone at a trial meant you were free from condemnation. In Biblical times, white stones were often used as admittance to festivals and gatherings. It seems that white stones represent favor or approval from our Redeemer. When I look at my partial shell that has been smoothed over, it looks a lot like a white stone. I’m not sure if it is a coincidence that I wrote “Made New” on it several days prior to writing this and learning about the white stones. But I know by now how God works in our lives. He can communicate through a partial seashell to remind me that I am His and I am cared for and loved. No one can love or care for your broken heart better than He can. Don’t be afraid to let people come alongside you during this hard season. The currents of life can be brutal, God never planned for you to fight it alone.

……..and Jesus loves you.