Riding Through Lifes Waves

story & pictures by: Lisa Petrarca

I road my bike to the beach to spend some time writing, seeking a quiet, peaceful place on a 90 degree Monday in late September.

A group of kids came up next to me & sat on their surfboards in front of two instructors. They were learning how to surf today. After some practical instruction on form, they laid on their boards and practiced paddling.

Next they were shown the proper way to "pop up" on the board.

They continued to do this several times before two boys felt they were ready & left the crowd.

The rest of the kids moved to the waters edge to watch.

Once they felt confident, they all made their way into the water, the instructor close behind watching out for their safety and continuing to teach them as they put what they learned to the test.


Just like life, each day we embark on a new lesson. Some of us feel ready to jump in, while others need more time to prepare.

Whatever pace you're at, your teacher and instructor is right there with you, out in the "water" of life.

Take time in the morning to listen to your "teacher's" words through prayer & daily scripture study. You will then be ready to ride the waves of your day with confidence, knowing that if you wipe out, the Lord is right there with you, instructing and guiding your way through the rough waves of life!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

It's Only a Season

Images By: www.landolfiphoto.com/Site_2/4_SEASONS.html
Story By: Lisa Petrarca

No matter what happens, severe heat, raging fires or the drought of summertime...fall and winter is just around the corner. Changing the color of the leaves, grass and blowing in cooler weather. Winter sneaks in to provide rain and snow to renew the land. Just when you feel as though you can't take the chilly weather anymore, it begins to warm up. Winter has refreshed and replenished, making the beauty of spring possible. Brilliant red, yellow and purple flowers sprout up and bloom. Fruits and vegetables begin to grow...bringing with it renewed life.

In life we too have seasons; happy, sad, difficult, easy...change is always happening. Something new is just around the corner. The difficulty is often in the waiting. Learning to be patient for the new season to make everything right. During these times we need to remember that Heavenly Father is always there. Through prayer and His word, you'll find food, water and shelter for your soul. It's everything you'll need during the seasons of drought and storms.

Don't deprive yourself the nourishment you need to weather the storms of this life. Remember that through the gift of Jesus Christ you have a new beginning, a fresh start to the ever changing seasons of life.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,2,4,6,7

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 4:1-3

Turn Off Your Cruise Control

I often dream of going to far off places. Visiting other countries, seeing different cultures, sites and people, breaking free of my normal life. Adventure and change has always held an appeal to me.

Taking small road trips in the meantime to satisfy my need to explore. Stopping at abandoned homes to take rustic pictures, imagining who lived there, what happened in their lives that made them leave. Trying to look at things in a different way, finding beauty and joy in the unexpected.


However, in my everyday life, I find change very difficult. I get stuck in my routines, going to work, pick up the kids, make dinner, clean up, and then getting everything ready for the next day and start all over again.

Why do we go on auto pilot? Saving up excitement and joy only for vacations. You need to turn off the cruise control. Open your eyes to what is going on around you. The adventure you are seeking can be the lonely neighbor who's lost a loved one and needs some company. A friend who asks for help. The elderly person struggling to unload their groceries, or cheering up a co-worker with a smile, and encouraging words.

It may not sound like the adventure you were hoping for, but there is absolutely nothing more satisfying than giving of yourself...living a Christ like life. He has shown us the true way to happiness...showing love to others by giving of yourself. Take a look around you this week and see if you can find an adventure waiting especially for you! Turn off your cruise control & auto pilot...step into the excitement all around you. Pray that God will open your eyes to your true purpose and remove the blinders! Only then will you find true peace, happiness and joy that may be missing from your life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

The Broken Wheel

Story By: Lisa Petrarca

My car began to rattle, first the steering wheel then the seat, until it felt like a minor earthquake was happening inside. Several weeks prior I had noticed the steel thread on my tire was beginning to show, but I knew that without money and time, I would have to hope that I didn't have a blow out.

The longer I waited the worse the shaking became. Turns seemed to be the worst. I would grip tightly onto the wheel trying to control it. I found myself feeling intense stress every time I got in the car. I wondered, "Is today going to be the day?"

I started to think about how that worn, broken wheel is like life. We begin to make bad choices (wearing the tread). Each wrong choice slowly tearing us apart. Things become broken and shaky, but we try to ignore it. We grip on tighter to the wheel, trying to handle it alone. The stress begins to build up inside, but we push it down. We know that something is wrong but don't know how to fix it. The longer we continue down the same path, the worse things become..until one day we have a blow out.

Our life crashes around us and we need help. If you feel like you're headed for a blow out...open up your Bible and let God speak to you. Jesus prepared a way for us to be forgiven and have a fresh start. Stop and pray...He will change you, fix you and take away your worry and stress...you only have to ask.

He is the bridge that gets you over the difficult times...to the treasure that awaits you!

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness. And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles. To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:6-7, 9

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them. And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

HIS CREATION.....