The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“God’s testimony. When was the last time you witnessed it? A stroll

through knee-high grass in a green meadow. An hour listening to sea gulls

or looking at seashells on the beach. Or witnessing the shafts of

sunlight brighten the snow on a crisp winter dawn. Miracles that almost

match the magnificence of the empty tomb happen all around us; we only

have to pay attention.”

-- Max Lucado

I couldn’t hear the waves, but I knew the ocean was calling for me. It

was a perfect spring day and the perfect time for me to take my lunch

down to the bluff above the ocean. My stomach may have been hungry for

lunch, but it was my soul that was the hungriest. I needed time with God,

time to focus on God, time to hear from God.

I sat on a bench and stared at the nonstop beauty around me. Spring

was in full bloom, and the sky and ocean were dressed in their finest

blue splendor. Colorful flowers seemed to sprout in every direction and

several birds played in the breeze.

I had been thinking about Easter, about the unfathomable way God

demonstrated his love. After all God has done for me, I wanted to do more

for him, but I didn’t know what or how. I asked God to show me. Just

then, two little boys ran in front of me chasing pigeons. I watched them

for a while. One of them headed for some bushes, then stopped abruptly.

“Daddy, are there tigers in these bushes?” the little cherub-faced boy

asked.

“No son, there aren’t any tigers, just a few squirrels,” the father

answered.

“Are you really, really sure there aren’t any tigers?” the boy

reiterated.

“I’m really, really sure. You can trust me on this one,” the father

said.

The little boy looked down at the bushes, but reached up to hold his

dad’s hand just in case. I watched them walk off and realized God wanted

me to trust him more.

Then I looked over and watched a little girl jumping rope on the

grass. She counted out loud in a sing song voice, “Thirty-nine, 40, 41,

oops,” she said as she stepped on the rope. “I can go much higher.”

She started jumping and counting again.

I looked back at the sparkling ocean and started counting some of the

blessings God has given me. I knew I could go way past 41, and that’s

when I realized I want to consciously thank God more often.

I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the waves and the

orchestra of singing birds. The gentle breeze messaged my face and the

warm sun kissed my cheeks. The powerful hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”

came to mind and I started humming the tune quietly. I thanked God for

his faithfulness and blessings.

I looked down at the beach and noticed footprints of all sizes going

in every direction. I looked around at the beauty surrounding me again

and realized that footprints of God’s love are forever imprinted in the

message of Easter.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.