Faith In Fiction | The Sun Kissed Sky

As the Santa Ana breeze whips against my back and the golden warmth of the mid-day San Diego sun kisses my shoulders, I stand in awe of the Creator as I look upon the majesty of the vivid teal expanse staring back at me and my grandson. The deep blueness in the distance softly opposes the whiteness of the clouds directly above. Water dances in small ripples before blossoming into frothy, glistening green waves that fall gently, tamely crawling ashore. Continuous and calming, the rhythmic rumbling and whoosh of the ocean sings an irresistible melody, reminding me,

“Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!” Psalm 93:4

The tiny specks of mica in the white sand sparkle so brightly that the beach glows as if dusted with gold. The salty perfume of the sea bursts forth, spritzing the air, welcoming tourists and locals alike with its aroma.

Crisscrossing above, a swarm of seagulls purr sweetly like kittens. As the gulls touch down, they unveil deep, charcoal eyes and golden yellow legs, accentuating their white plumage. At the base of the beaks, a red spot demands attention.

To the right, on Dog Beach, seven dogs run freely, racing back and forth from sand to foam capped water. A black retriever flies through the air, mouth wide open, legs splayed to the side like airplane wings. After catching a Frisbee buzzing skyward and landing with a thunderous splash, an incoming lace-topped wave welcomes the dog, graciously giving him a ride back to shore.  

Walking along the shoreline, my two-year old grandson, Silas, shrieks with delight and breaks into a run at a speed that could compete with any Olympic runner. Racing to catch him, a slow moving wave, reminiscent of a turtle in slow motion, catches me by surprise and the arctic water roars over my feet, wrapping them into an icy embrace. I shudder at the sudden, bitter chill of my feet.

Ahead, Silas chases two large birds with glossy black overcoats and purple crowns, beaks cooing, webbed feet scurrying and wings flapping furiously. The chase ends as attention is drawn to a screeching, incoming Navy fighter jet, flying low towards North Island Naval Air Station next to Dog Beach. Instinct kicking in, my grandson hits the deck, stunned by the deafening bang when the plane’s landing gear drops. The whirring of two military helicopters follows close behind.

As Silas and I trek hand-in-hand, the hot sand, reflecting off the sun above, threatens to start a fire between my toes as it oozes against my bare feet. Seashells sprout along the shoreline, advertising their presence through a myriad of colors. Shimmering in the sunlight, a purple beauty begs for attention. From the center of the clamshell, ringlets of lavender cascade into violet and twirl into shades of plum towards the edge. This colorful gem speaks of royalty and demands that I take her home with me.

Strolling up the promenade to go home, the majestic backdrop of the mighty sea against the stunning San Diego sky invites me to praise the awesome God who created this breathtaking masterpiece. To be surrounded by His presence, to be filled with His fullness, is my heart’s desire. A.B. Simpson put it so beautifully in his song, The mercy of God is an ocean divine, 

“The mercy of God is an ocean divine, 
A boundless and fathomless flood;
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,
And be lost in the fullness of God.
O let us launch out on this ocean so broad,
Where the floods of salvation e’er flow;
O, let us be lost in the mercy of God,
Till the depths of His fullness we know.”