Gently falls her silvered locks, wind tossed by the salt air, covering her eyes as she walks. The salt air has a habit of teasing her that way, like a high school sweet heart vying for her attention.
Absent-mindedly, her hand caresses her wayward locks back into place, only to repeat the discipline many times before she reaches the boardwalk that takes her back to her beach house. Fragmented lines frame her blue eyes that were once compared to the deep blue of the ocean at its horizon.
The upward curve of her lips gently lights up her face as she observes the life in the sand and the ocean. Sand crabs burrow deep, as if hiding from the seagulls that casually circle over head, and then suddenly dive into salt water to bring up wiggling fish for breakfast.
Life has been difficult for Abigail; and, for years she believed in a God she did not think that she could trust. How can an intelligent person believe in a God who allows suffering when He has the ability to save?
Walking through the weathered door, her feet cause the old floorboards to creak as she enters the house. The combination of ceiling fan with air conditioner makes her realize just how hot the day has already become at this early hour.
Despite the heat, coffee with cream and one sweetener is her tradition after a morning walk. Georgia Pecan was her favorite flavor ever since a friend brought it to her from their trip to the Carolina mountains. Then, sitting by the gulf view window, she opens her book to read.
Marissa, is one of those friends who is fun loving enough to over look her obsession for a God Abigail was trying to ignore.
Little by little, over coffee, antique shopping, and long walks with Marissa, Abigail had begun to soften to the gentle wooing of a lover she had never seen. She began to see that all things were possible and sometimes God will allow what He hates to achieve what He loves.
It had taken years of vacillating love and anger toward God for the many sorrows she credited Him with in her life, to finally see the signature of beauty that can only come through dark watery places.
Her finger caresses the words underlined years ago in ink, now faded with time. If only she had believed the words in her youth. But regret was not a pastime she indulged in these days. Regret was a thief, and it had stolen enough of her joy and her relationships and her time, from loving the world around her.
Her head leans back on the old wicker rocker watching the paddles of the ceiling fan making slow rotations, and the up-curled corners of her mouth return as she thinks about how she cheated regret out of the victory that was its pursuit.
Older age is now a friend to her, for how else could one sit in sunset of life and gently smile at the future, and gracefully forgive the past? How else could one learn to love all that comes your way, except to watch the small stories of her life add story to story until the missing parts and broken hopes were brought together with meaning?
The sun is fully raised now, and Abigail placed a floppy sun hat on her head and sets out for the store.
Linking with Laura and Kelli and Holley,Lisa-jo and Five Minute Friday

Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
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That last paragraph contains a hearty load of wisdom, friend. Thank you for introducing us to a woman learning to lean in to peace. She is both beautiful and realistic enough that we long for more … So glad to have you with us at Unforced Rhythms, Diane. Love you much.
Thank you for opening your blog to all of us, Kelli. I love you too!
What imagery Diane!
Thank you, DA, I’m so glad to have you here.
This beautifully articulated beach scene had me daydreaming of my trip to the beach next week. Time alone with God and my family is what I look forward to and so very needed right now. {I hope to finish my book AND read a book too. :)}
Your beautiful story here reminds me of the too-many years I wandered. Sadness starts to ensue, but you are right that regret is a thief. One I stand guard of with my Jesus.
So very glad you are my neighbor at Holley’s today. 🙂
Live blessed,
Heather
@40YearWanderer.com
Heather, if only you and I knew these lessons at an early age, oh the difference it would have made. Thank you for stopping by to visit today.
How awesome this writing is! What a talent you have. As I read the words, God will allow what he hates to achieve what He loves brought tears to my eyes as I am struggling with some things in the life of my family that are exactly that. I have been trying to make sense of how a loving God would allow all this to take place, You have given me the exact way to see this. I know He can bring beauty from ashes. I think I am going to be able to watch this happen. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing.
I have prayed for you just now, Maggie. How awesome is our God who loves us enough to allow sorrow that will bring joy greater than any sorrow. He loves you so much Maggie, and as you cling to Him, He will bring you closer to the joy He wants you experience from the very beginning.
This is beautiful…truly! I was right there with Abigail. I am grateful that Christ walks with me in my senior years as each day is a new day with many unknowns that seem foreboding for me this days. Other days are so gentle and sweet and delicious. Much to ponder. So grateful I came by from Unforced Rhythms.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Hi Linda! It’s so nice to meet you. Though Abigail is a created character, her life experiences are familiar to me and many I know. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope to see you again!
The first line drew me in Diane and the reflections and wisdom you shared made me a believer in this beachside haven. Happy to have found you at Coffee For Your Heart.
Lisha! Hey friend! It’s so nice to have you here to visit. Pour another cup of coffee and join me again sometime! Love you!
Beautiful reflections, Diane. I accepted Christ at the age of 42 and while there are moments I wish I didn’t spend all those years without Him, I’m quickly reminded to be ever so grateful I now follow Him. Thank you so much for sharing with Three Word Wednesday. It was so wonderful to see you. Much love. xoxo
How did I miss your link up? Thank for stopping by Beth. You voice is such a blessing to me and many others.
First of all…your site is simply wonderful. The aesthetic is soothing, warm, and inviting. Your family is simply lovely :). I read your bio and saw one of your goals is to help those who have been wounded by other Christians heal. This spoke to me as I have been on both ends of that spectrum! Recovering from being the inflictor and inflicted can be a tough road, but it is also one of glorious transformation and beauty in the healing process no matter how tough that might be. Many blessings to you as you work through this with others!
Your words in this post are lovely. Much to reflect on :). Stopping by via Five Minute Friday, but signed up for updates. Here’s to getting to *know* you a bit more in this cyber world. Enjoy the day.
Hi Donna! It’s nice to meet you! There is not hurt like a Church hurt. But I remind myself that Christ too was wounded by those who were considered by many to be Godly people. God helps us to gather strength through woundings so we can strengthen others who are wounded in a similar way.
I look forward to getting to know you more!
What a beautiful post. I really enjoyed reading it – you have great talent!
Shelia
http://www.houseofhighlands.com
Hi Shelia, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I love talking with people and getting to know them. Please come by again and join in the chat! Have a great weekend!