Just Get In

This past week my family was able to get away for vacation in California. Our flight home was out of LAX in Los Angeles. We drove up from Anaheim to LA and arrived a little over an hour before we needed to be at the airport. Someone had told us about a Manhattan Beach that was just 10 minutes or so from the airport. Realizing it might be our last shot at a nice sunny beach for awhile, we drove over to check it out.

Our three kids were dressed for the flight home, not a day near the ocean. We had them roll up their pant legs to their knees, and encouraged them to only go about ankle deep. On of our kids (who I'll attempt to protect, by withholding their name) would soon not only have the bottoms of their pants wet, but would actually be diving under a couple of the waves. There was a change of clothes in the suit case and a place to rinse off in the public restrooms, so it all worked out.

Over the past couple of days since I've been home, I've laughed about this moment but more than anything I've wondered why I just watched. I'm trying to figure out at what moment in life did I decide that I'd pass on opportunities to "just get in", enjoy the ocean, love the opportunity and take advantage of great situations. Sure I'd have gotten a bit cold, and there's the hassle of changing clothes, and it would have made it a crazy scramble to get to the airport. Now I sit in Starbucks, the rain is coming down, I'm back to work, the responsibilities of life and church swirl in my head and I can't help but wonder why I didn't "just get in". The ocean was right there, the beach was so nice, it would have worked out.

Certainly as adults there's wise planning needed, sound decisions to be worked through and time lines to manage. That's too bad because I'm pretty sure life is supposed to include more moments where we "just get in". Take opportunities that are in front of us. Those opportunities might not be the ocean, but it could be spending more time with a friend, eating dessert, trying a new volunteer opportunity at church or in our community, learning a new skill or going to bed early when you get a chance. You don't need it but you have my permission to "just get in" the next time you're standing in front of the ocean.

Brent