[ the rock ]

   "oof," i said as i sat down in the sand, the sun at my back, wind carelessly tossing my hair everywhere. 

   it felt good to relax after a run, the ocean licking at my feet occasionally, thoughts able to run where they like -- but at a more relaxed pace. life seems to travel at an increasingly slower rate when you're at the beach. it's no wonder i've always felt at peace whenever i'm at the beach. it's a place of solace.

   i turned my gaze towards the open ocean. a few boats off in the distance moved slowly across the horizon. the sound of the steady waves echoed a lullaby that soothed. people were scarce, so i had the sense of having the entire beach to myself.

   a rock lying in the sand caught my eye. i watched as a wave came and washed over it, taking it a few inches forward, but then getting dragged back when the wave washed back out. this repeated itself.

   in the back of my mind, i heard a voice saying "that's you."

   "oh no," i groaned out loud. i secretly checked to see if anyone was listening so i could freely speak aloud. this topic was hitting a deep point.

   i knew this was the moment when God was going to say something i didn't want to hear, but needed to.