Finding Friday-The Beach to the Rescue

We’ve made it to Friday! More happening here on the fire restoration update with roof being checked and choices in paint and replacing fencing on the deck on the landscape. But, can I take you back to the days before the fire? When the beach came to the rescue along the Florida gulf shores with white sands, sunrises and sunsets?

Let me explain.

I love when God is in the details.

We were weary.

Weeks turned into months of prayer, travel and care for my husband’s twin who gained heaven in October. I have shared more here and here about those months.

Beach time needed.

That’s the place we both seek solace and quiet restoration. Years of spring break visits to my sister in Panama City were welcome respite from classroom or business ownership stress.

Strolls along the sand with toes dipped into the surf took away knots in the shoulder and calmed a mind spinning in all directions.

Late in October we got a text from our sweet daughter in law.

She had a friend who had a family crisis and couldn’t cancel or keep a reservation on that favorite Florida beach. She needed to gift it to someone who needed it.

My daughter in law immediately responded that her inlaws needed it.

God’s provision.

From a sweet stranger who had a need that met a need…no doubt His touch was included. Perhaps, Gayla was directing it all from heaven…who knows?

Plans were made and perhaps you needed to see His provision in the details…because that’s what we felt in alllllll of the details.

Here’s what greeted us at the Seacrest Beach condo on 30A…

The door opened and there was the sign. THAT SIGN! Tears began to flow.

That beach view

From the living room…and then I turned the corner into the master bedroom…

The porch could be entered from both the bedroom and living area…

Coffee in the morning on that porch brought beautiful moments of rejuvenation. Hearing those waves and breathing in that morning salt air…precious.

And then…I lost it…I told my husband that if a starfish was anywhere in this condo…that I would lose it…and there it was.

You see…a starfish just like this one was my husband’s last gift from his twin from her last trip to the beach.

There it was positioned in a place of honor. A sweet reminder of a deeper meaning of this trip from Gayla.

Sweet sunrises and sunsets at the beach are the best.

And food at the beach? It didn’t have to be extravagant…

But, can I tell you what even made this sweeter?

We arrived on my birthday. Of course a birthday celebration that was a gift from a sweet friend made things a little brighter.

Three days kept us at this beautiful place and when we left…I felt the need to write in the owner’s book.

Here’s the address to this great rental if you need this in your life:

High Pointe E45 Gulf Front Condo
10254 East County Highway 30A 45E
Seacrest, FL 32413

But, the beach story continued…

When you have beautiful friends who pray for you and then know they can meet a need??? They come into your life to bless you…

So, off to her condo to continue the respite and beach walks in the most gorgeous of settings–inside and out.

When we arrived, outside the door was this incredible double rainbow.

So beautiful and glorious was that.

The view from her porch was amazing…

With coffee enjoyed there in the mornings.

Sand walks and rest along that beach.

Grateful beyond belief…

One last brunch at Seaside was the perfect ending to that stay on 30A.

We left that gulf coast feeling loved and rested.

But, that Florida trip wasn’t over until a visit with my sweet sister and family. Always a favorite place in Lithia.

With freshly baked pumpkin bread and wonderful hospitality.

and hours with our feet under their table that was nurturing and healing.

We made that favorite Mad Dash Mixes Chicken Enchilada soup and Cranberry Pasta salad that I have shared with you.

Lots of laughter and heart to heart conversations before venturing home.

We always love staying with our kids and grands on the way home where a few more days of laughter and games and feet under their table brought joy and rest.

And then we returned home.

Three days later that house fire happened.

And NOW you know the rest of the story.

Perhaps there are some of you today who simply need to be reminded that God is in the details. That His care for you is more than you can begin to imagine.

I’m proof of that throughout this story…even in the details of that house fire and restoration…His provision is waiting for your grasp.

On this Good Friday, may you always feel God’s care and blessings in your life.

***I’d love to know the details of His provision in your life…either in comments or messaged. It’s always encouraging to hear.