A Frigid Lesson: Wish More Carefully

As we walked along the beach, the waves crashed against the rocks, and occasionally the spray would reach to the people’s faces as they walked along the quay in front of us. For some reason, I thought that was something good to have happen to me. So, once I managed the courage to step out on the quay, forgetting that there were no walls to keep me from falling in the ocean, I strutted down to where I had seen people get sprayed by the waters. It never occurred to me that people were actually trying to avoid the spray!

I wanted Douglas to take a picture of me, as I luxuriated in the feeling of being one with the ocean. Well, a small wave came in, not enough to get sprayed. Then, larger waves came in, and Douglas assured me that I would get my wish fulfilled, but the water barely touched me. I wanted just a little more water on my face. So, I went closer to the end of the quay, as near as I dared to the end, and waited. The waves I saw were so much smaller than the previous one that I knew I had to wait a little longer, especially when Douglas said that the next wave wasn’t going to do anything, so, he was not able to get the picture of me completely caught unawares, thank goodness!

Well, Douglas is batting a thousand percent wrong when it comes to weather and waves! Not only was it big enough, but it was more than I bargained on. All of a sudden, I was hit with a lot of frigid water, an actual onslaught, not just a spray, and I screamed so loud that people came to see what in the world was happening. I was soaked from head to toe, but Douglas, who knows not to stand so close, had just a little wetness on his clothes. Thankfully, I have an Afro, so I did not have to worry about finding a hair salon.

But, we were a good 3-4 miles from home, and my blouse and jeans were so full of water that you could wring them out. I did not know that a spurt of water could hurt so much! It was like getting punched in the belly. Needless to say, we were the brunt of many people’s laughter, walking down the walkway with my clothes completely soaked and dripping. Of course, now I know why I was the only one walking that close to the end of the quay. Such a rookie!

After the near-drowning (Yes, I am given to exaggeration at times!), we found a seat on the beach to try to get dry before going someplace to eat. But, after nearly an hour, I was still wet, mainly because, while the sun is shining, it is still cold with the wind. We went home instead, so that I could shower and put on dry clothes. At first, I was so thoroughly embarrassed about looking foolish, but, after a while, I just laughed at myself, thinking, “Be careful what you wish for.” Also, now as a blogger, nearly everything that happens is either good blog material or not for other people’s consumption, and one of my first thoughts was, “Boy, wait until I write about this event.”

Thankfully, when we wish for the Lord to give us a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit, we can be assured that He knows just the amount we need. With a fresh anointing, we learn of him and become one with Him, for 1 John 2:27 states, ” As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you, but as the anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it taught you, you abide in Him.” Thank God for His anointing power!

I am feeling more upbeat here today. Maybe getting deluged by water is not such a bad thing. Before I prayed for God’s help in finding peace here, I would have been very upset at being seen in such a foolish manner. I would have cried and ran away from people looking at me. But, thanks to the Holy Spirit in me, I am learning to ease up on myself and just enjoy the foibles of life, with much laughter and sweet gratitude that it was no worse, for I cannot swim a lick, so thankfully I did not fall in the ocean! Now, that’s progress!