I love the beach, especially walking on the beach, and when I stroll along the water\u2019s edge, I\u2019m always looking out for that \u201cperfect\u201d sea shell\u2014 big, unflawed, colorful. But the last time I walked on the beach it wasn\u2019t the pristine shells that caught my eye, but those that had obviously been around for a while.\u00a0 The ones broken and smoothed by the surf, encrusted with trails of other creatures that had either coexisted with the original inhabitant, or had set up house long after the owner had vacated.<\/p>\n
These unique shells display a deeper, richer kind of beauty, one that forms when many lives intersect in different ways and times. They remind me that the more we love and are loved, the more beautiful we become. <\/strong>And that even after we are gone, our love will continue to bless those we have touched. And those they touch.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t look for \u201cperfection\u201d in someone else–or yourself. Instead, search for the intricate patterns that form when one life imprints on another. Find that deeper, richer kind of beauty. And when you find it, take a moment to celebrate.<\/p>\n \u201cI will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.\u201d Psalm 139:14<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love the beach, especially walking on the beach, and when I stroll along the water\u2019s edge, I\u2019m always looking out for that \u201cperfect\u201d sea shell\u2014 big, unflawed, colorful. But the last time I walked on the beach it wasn\u2019t the pristine shells that caught my eye, but those that had obviously been around for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[464,44],"tags":[74],"class_list":["post-1969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finding-yourself","category-identity-value","tag-belonging-to-god"],"yoast_head":"\n