I was privileged to spend a few days at the beach.  This little cameo of life there caused me to wonder how much I actually play; and how attuned I am to the call of my own Master, my Saviour, Jesus Christ.  What does it say to you?  Are you reminded, perhaps, that you take life very seriously?  Are you nudged into considering how alert you are to the call of God on your life from moment to moment?  I pray that this joyful little piece may speak to you of your relationship with God and may delight your heart.

Play

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord Psalm 150:6

Below me, on the beach, I spotted three little dogs. Black with square faces and short legs, they were romping on the sand. Their master had a ball and they chased it until they reached an expanse of rocks – these were much more interesting and off they scampered to explore. The youngest one did not venture far, but returned to the man and raced around the edge of the rocks on the sand. Here the waves lapped around his stubby legs, but he was not concerned. He ran on ahead, in delight, until he realised he was alone. Then he turned and sat in the waves waiting for his companions.

The other two moved at a more sedate pace, exploring the rocks and the pools. One, preferring still water to the movement of the sea, stood in a rock pool not much bigger than herself, up to her tummy in water. She splashed around in circles and then saw another rock to explore and nimbly trotted off to satisfy her curiosity.

The third had found something delicious and hung back to sample his treat.

But now the man had skirted the rocks and turning, whistled one short note. Ears pricked, all three heads lifted. The little one stayed where he was, but flattened onto the sand, still in the waves. The others quickened their pace across the rocks until they reached the beach. Now they raced forward, to be ambushed by their junior. Meeting midway they leapt and tumbled together in a flurry of legs and sand.

Another whistle and the man threw the ball and they were off, leaving a triple trail of tiny footprints that seemed to me to just appear on the sand. The youngest got there first and pounced on the ball in delight, only to lie on it as the others arrived. And move he did not as the others scampered barking around him. Only the arrival of the man with hand outstretched made him scamper forward for a touch from his master, leaving the ball free for his companions. But they had found another beach delight and it was the man who picked up the ball.

Calling again, they made their way to the steps back onto the promenade, the youngest on a lead, the older two reverting to sedate city dogs as they reached the paved walkway. Obviously for them, there is a time for everything, and the moments spent on the beach was the time to run and play before resuming their responsibility as mature, sensible city creatures. What fun they had had and what a delight it had been to witness their play.