I’m in a plane (again). This time my view from 10,000 feet is a flocked “quilt” comprised of quartered land. The cold snow actually looks inviting from this perspective. Funny that I should be compelled to write about swaying palms and ocean tides.

In a previous post I mentioned that our tribe (minus the eldest) had the privilege of going to Hawaii.

Friends, I was smitten.

The irony is that I’m not an ocean girl. I’ve long said that I do dirt better than water.

The ocean frightens me. I stand by the shore and feel like a minnow about to be gulped.

I’ve been to the ocean before but because I always assumed he was a bit of a bully I kept my distance, a remarkably safe distance.

This time something changed.

I’d love to say it was immediate and that I could identify the moment “it” happened. But it wasn’t…and I can’t.

I only know I left Hawaii undone——–in the most magnificent of ways.

And to think it all started with a need to pee.

I wasn’t kidding when I said I’m scared of the ocean. Consequently, the day our crew set out to Electric Beach I was content to sit in the sand, drink coconut water and relish the view.

It was all so lovely.

However, what goes in must come out, including coconut water.

My nonchalant, early afternoon scan for a public restroom turned into an all-out stealth operation by late afternoon. There was not a bathroom to be found.

I had one choice.

Technically, two.

1. Pee in my suit.
2. Pee in the water.

Since option one didn’t feel like an option I took a deep breath and headed to the ocean.

Visualize this with me if you will——–

Pale, stick women, donned in blue, swim dress and Jackie-O sunglasses tries to discreetly tip-toe into a monstrous body of water for the favor of a pee.

I learned that my ocean friend isn’t a “toe-in the water” kind of dude. He doesn’t even introduce himself with a handshake. Nope, my gregarious, laughing friend likes to make first impressions with an all-out, wrap your body kind of hug.

I spent at least 20 minutes trying to dodge his embrace.

However, He’s a persistent bugger. He  reminds me of an early date when the boy tries a “bob and weave”. You know what I mean, boy leans in for a kiss, but he’s not sure what signal he’s getting so he immediately leans back, and then the cycle starts all over again.

My ocean friend calls his bob and weave a tide. It sounds kind of cute and romantic except when you’re a person that simply wants to pee and not get wet. Than it looks something like this:

• You step in just far enough to pee discreetly but within seconds water is up to your neck.
• You pull back quickly so as not to drown but you are now peeing in full public view.

The tide eventually knocked me over and the precarious dance ended with me square on my butt.

The good news?

I surrendered to my overzealous ocean friend. I stayed seated and pee’ed to my heart’s content.

The bad news?

I had no idea sand could be forced into so many crevices of the body.

Fortunately, the acquisition of sand did not interfere with the dispersion of urine.

In the end, I was remarkably grateful for an ocean that offered me an empty bladder. But the greatest gift wasn’t what he allowed me to leave, it’s what he allowed me to take. I learned:

I’m not as afraid as I thought.

As I fought to stay upright I began to laugh. Out loud. I couldn’t help but think how absurd “blue stick-woman” must look. Those poor people. They came to snorkel and watch the whales. Hopefully, the vaudeville act didn’t distract.

My laughter grew deeper and in the process I moved from fear to fascination.

God, to think you are more powerful than this! And I’m standing in this!!

I also learned:

You can’t get in the water if you don’t get in the water.

Sometimes there’s just no such thing as toe dipping. You do it. Or you don’t.

I had the funniest feeling that my ocean friend was getting me ready for something. Truth is, I still don’t know what, but I’m grateful for God-given insights. Since this lesson left such an impression on me I suspect it’s because God knows I’ll need it.

If this cold, winter month finds you fighting fear or living with less wholeheartedness than you’d like, my prayer is that you’ll experience an ocean of His love. May you know what it feels like to be wrapped in the arms of One so strong, so kind and so very for you.

If its fears you’re fighting I hope you’ll make sure you’re name is in the drawing for Kelly Balarie’s book Fear Fighting. (See last weeks post- Undone, Mess by Mess.) We’ll announce the winner prior to Valentines.

If you need more words of encouragement regarding how big God’s love is, and what love looks like in action, be sure to hook up with Suzie Eller and the #livefree community.

May everything He’s done and continues to do leave us magnificently undone.

{Until next week let’s keep in touch! Facebook, InstaGram or Twitter}

Your DoAhead Friend,

Cindy