I Go Down To The Shore

I Go Down to the Shore

I go down to the shore in the morning

and depending on the hour the waves

are rolling in or moving out,

and I say, oh, I am miserable,

what shall—

what should I do? And the sea says

in its lovely voice:

“Excuse me, I have work to do.”

― Mary Oliver

Don’t you love this poem? I’ve been reading a lot of poetry in the last few days, giving books and copies of poems to people for Christmas. I like the way poetry makes you slow down. This short poem by Mary Oliver makes me laugh and it also reminds me of the “Look at the lilies of the field” verses in the Bible.

The waves have work to do, they go about their business. It’s like, look at the waves of the sea -- they don’t worry about where they will go, how high they’ll rise, or whether the tide will go in or out, yet no timepiece is more regular, not even the most powerful king in the world is more majestic. How much more can you rely on God to care for you, to guide your direction?

I love the last line of the verses in Luke 12: “Do not be afraid, little flock,...” God loves me and you. We are part of his little flock.

Luke 12:22-32

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”