The other day my husband brought home two shells from his walk on our local beach. Because of the recent crazy storms here off the west coast of Ireland, all these shells from some sort of sea snail, had been swept into one area of beach, tucked between some sand dunes. Who knows, maybe the snails had swirled together to get some shelter from the storm without realising they would get trapped between the dunes when the water retreated.
It's been great to take close up pictures of these shells as they are only small, about 1 and a half centimetres wide. Zooming in close I've been able to study the beautiful swirls that so intricately decorate them. These are perfect spirals, not the imperfect unbalanced swirls I draw with my paintbrush. Even these tiny sea snails have absolutely gorgeous, careful crafted coverings, created by a mighty and powerful hand so much greater, more artistic and perfect than my own.
When I think about these shells I'm reminded of that Bible passage where Jesus talks about not worrying and to consider the lilies of the field that are so regal and delicate. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you little faith?" (Matthew 6: 30). Will not God, who provided these little snails with tiny, ornate and precious houses; will not this God much more provide for me in the chaos and swirly mess of my life? Just like these snails, sometimes I feel tossed about by giant waves or swelling tides of doubt. Sometimes I feel swept away and trapped by sands of troubles. But unlike these poor little snails, God will provide for me for I am a child of his. How much more has he crafted and made me who I am, not just a painted shell but a beautiful human being who lives and breathes, sings and loves, writes and creates.
Only two little shells but such a wonderful lesson to me about the goodness of God and how precious my life is to Him.
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