A truly divine experience

This morning [Sunday] was amazing. I wish Christina had been with me, but - alas - I was by myself this morning.

At 5:30am I woke up, got some fresh coffee, and sat down to read a few pages from John Stott's "Cross of Christ". At 6am I loaded the surfboard on top of my car and headed west. I drove for 30 minutes through what I consider to be some of the most beautiful countryside in all of San Diego: the Del Dios Highway through the mountains surrounding Lake Hodges. A winding two lane road, the Del Dios Highway cuts over the mountains to the east of Rancho Santa Fe that separate Escondido from the coast. Nestled within is the man-made Lake Hodges. As I drive to the west, I look over my left shoulder to see the reds, pinks, purples, and blues of the rising sun over the steep purple mountains and the cool, calm lake.

By 6:45am I find myself standing atop a cliff, overlooking the Pacific. Waves are slowly rolling in and crashing against the shore. Only a few people are around and the air is calm and quiet. (Selfishly, I consider how glad I am that the world sleeps in on Sunday mornings.) Board in hand, I begin to walk down the cliff to the beach. I set into the water for a cool surf in the deep blue Pacific. The waves were few and fairly rhythmic; this is not a good day to surf. As I lay atop my board facing west, watching and waiting for the next break, I can't help but take in the sounds of the ocean and the Sunday morning calm; the smell of the fresh sea air; the rejuvenating touch of the crisp Pacific water; and the sight of the reds, pinks, and purples reflecting off the ripples from the sunrise over my shoulder. It was simply rejuvenating and invigorating all at once.

And, when I thought it couldn't get any better, a school of dolphins emerged from amidst the colors just to my left. They were lazily swimming up the coast to the north, content to take their time. As I watch them, a swell rises out of the ocean towards me. I think about turning to catch the approaching wave when I realize that it's taken; a dolphin is in the swell, riding the wave towards the shore. I'm in a picture. I'm living in a post card.

After climbing the cliff and getting some fresh coffee from a little cafe, people sitting around reading the paper and eating breakfast in the cool, crisp morning air, I realize that I didn't catch a single wave. I'm not a good surfer, having only been out in the water three times thus far. But I didn't even care. I was having a blast taking in the creations of God and the wonders around me. Why am I so blessed to live here, to be doing this?

The drive back was no less spectacular than the drive to the beach earlier in the morning. All I can think about is how wonderful this is. And I remember what CJ said a few years ago: "All gifts FROM God, are intended to turn our attention TO God, and create fresh affection FOR God." I'm so grateful to the giver of these gifts this morning...