TAMING THE MONSTER
Things are often not exactly as they seem… or so it seems… It was something right out of a movie. It felt almost like heaven, or at least what I imagine heaven might be… The Pacific Ocean breeze tickled the sizzling skin as it danced by in rhythm with the towering and crashing waves.
The waves collided with the golden beach – spreading out flat and low as it reached for the toes of the scads of folks soaking up the famous Southern California rays. Small children frolicked in the shallows, getting pummeled by the innocent looking surf. They’d squeal in delight and get back up for the next round… only to get knocked off their tiny feet again and again.
About twenty yards out, around the area in the ocean where the waves reach their crest, just before their denouement, the boogie boarders ride the untamed water speeding toward the shore and strive to steer around the wee ones there. All this while the seagulls are undeterred a few feet above the uneven surface in search of lunch.
Beyond them, between the end of the earth and the distant ships on whiskey colored horizon are the surfers. They don’t ride the sea swells, they catch the monster waves by the tail then crawl up their backs and stand on top of the monster waves as conquering kings and queens of the sea.
The bravest of the surfers swing around the front side of the monster wave’s head and dance just in front of it’s mouth, taunting the sea as they race for the safety of the sand.
The scene looks serene, peaceful. The manmade floating devices being pushed by the power of the sea toward rest and safety. No wonder the place was so packed… like a sardine can.
Against my better judgment, I decided to join the seaside soiree. The water was colder than I expected – made me shiver as the sweat on my spine turned to ice. The bottom of my feet found a sharp rock that almost dropped me… No turning back. I pushed and fought my way out into the surf as the waves blasted me and my boogie board with body shots. I quickly remembered to hold the board overhead and turn sideways to lessen the blows and setbacks toward shore.
When I did finally get far enough out to begin taming the monster I paddled toward land like a train robber gallops toward a caboose, grabbed both sides of the front of my board and rode the monster in. It spit me toward shore like I was Jonah. My legs and feet hanging off the undersized board scraped rocks and sand leaving skin in the sea as payment for its use along with a twisting dump that had me struggling to hang on to the board.
I finally trudged out of the surf in defeat, salt running from my sand packed sinuses… the monster unfazed and far from tamed.
That’s how many things are in this life. Things look fun, easy, and innocent, and we believe that we have the means to tame the creation… kinda like roping the wind… We jump in head first, believing or wishing for the best… The bruises, sometimes physically, sometimes spiritually, we carry with us for a time – the memories forever.
Like this newly torn rotator cuff, that should be a good reminder for a while to come. Me getting a grasp on the horns of wisdom is a little like taming that monster wave…
Maybe next time… Getting another chance to do things right is a gift from the hand of the Almighty, don’t you think?
If I can’t get a handle on the wave… there’s zero chance I’m going to get one on the grace of God…
David Rupert
Sunday, October 26, 2014 @ 9:41 pm
So, you have a surfing accident? Sorry…dude. That’s not fun – but you have a great story to tell. And a lesson to pass on
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 2:10 am
So this newly torn rotator cuff. is this the one most recently operated on or is this a new one? Old men sure have hard lessons to learn. Just ask me. 🙂
Lisa notes
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 6:25 am
“Maybe next time” – that’s such an attitude of hope. A beautiful thing, Floyd. I’d be tempted to say “Never again!” ha. Thanks for continuing to teach me to push forward.
TC Avey
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 8:45 am
Sorry about the rotator cuff injury…my shoulder/hand is still healing. While I’m thankful my injury is pushing me to rely on God more, I get frustrated by the length of time it takes to completely heal.
But we can’t rush the healing or the pain. We can’t rush the process. Sometimes it takes a while before we realize the greatness of the waves before us and the depths God goes to in order to prepare us for the next wave.
Because there will always be waves, there will always be accidents and injuries…but the same God is able to not only tame the storm, but also to heal our pains. Gotta trust Him.
Sharon
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 12:25 pm
I grew up by the Pacific Ocean, and so I’ve spent many a day riding the waves, and more often than not, wiping out! I’ve eaten my share of sand, swallowed a small ocean of saltwater, and even got caught once in some big surf and had to be rescued by my cousin.
I loved the lesson you derived from your adventure. Yup, life is full of big waves, and we’re never quite sure when the next wipe-out is coming. Some happens because we’re stubborn (I am), and some just happens.
Luckily, God is a terrific lifeguard – for He guards our life with His love.
Now, if I could just learn how to be wiser when to “swim” and when to sit one out!
Wishing quick healing on your rotator cuff injury.
GOD BLESS!
Betty Draper
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
To this day I suffer from a over stretched sacroiliac joint from hiking in the mountains year ago. Never one to give up on something I love to do I further damaged it as I continue to over stretch the joint. So it was nothing short of wisdom gained from pain that kept me sitting on a park bench while Ace hike in the Yosemite mountains. I knew without a shadow of a doubt I would not be able to walk the next day if I tried hiking. I hate being chained to pain…hate being chained to a aging body, hate it. God did not tell me I had to love this aging process but I do love the lesson learned from it. As I sit on the park bench and soaked in the beauty and quiet of the mountains all around me I begin to thank Him for the creation. Soon older then me couple ask to share my bench table and what a blessing. Turned out they were long retired school teachers, long time believers of the Creator, what a delight we had sitting and talking about Him. It hit me after they left, the beauty of God in them was more beautiful then the mountains. Now with this aging body that plants me in still places a lot I have time to listen more to others to wait for God to plant someone close to me to share Him with. Good lesson my brother about giving up the good for the best. There must be someone you need to talk to as you recover from you injury, for sure God will not waste your time.
Hazel Moon
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Oh I hurt just to read this. My prayers for healing are with you. Thanks for another great post and your entry at “Tell me a Story.”
Pam
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 6:16 pm
Prayers for a speedy healing, Floyd, and the return of full movement in your shoulder. Ahh, the price of some of life’s lessons. . .
Loren Pinilis
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 6:20 pm
Oh no, a rotator cuff tear? Ouch. As a lifter, this is one of my fears. As weird as it sounds, I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t lift. I guess I’d figure it out but I hope to never be there. Hope it heals quickly and fully!
saleslady371
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 6:37 pm
Reading this brought back a memory of sitting in a lovely ocean side restaurant in So Cal watching guys like you do this while I nibbled on a delicious lunch. Isn’t that so like me–sitting on the sidelines watching while the brave ones dare to take on the monster (and live.) I need to be more courageous. Ciao.
Lynn Morrissey
Monday, October 27, 2014 @ 6:44 pm
I[‘m so sorry about that shoulder, Floyd! Not fun!!! And sometimes things in life look like fun, and we find that we are engaging the monster, and not doing such a great job in the battle. But we know who is more powerful than any beast and who wins in the end. If we follow Him, he fights our battles. I can’t tell you how often I have wanted a second chance of following my Captain, rather than rushing headlong ahead of him. And amazingly, He’s given me far more than 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th chances. THere is no limit to his grace. Wonderful post, Floyd!
Lynn
Nancy
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 @ 11:12 am
Boy oh boy! That was rough for you! I tell you I have really learned to check in with God about …well…almost everything. Instead of assuming that I’ll be “just fine” doing something that may even seem reasonable. I have had some scrapes which, if I were to be honest, could have been avoided if I only listened to that still-small nudge. Thanks for sharing your faux-pas and making the rest of us feel a little better about ours! Get better!
Chuck Allen
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
“We believe that we have the means to tame the creation… ” Yep, that’s me – way too often.
Thanks, as always, for sharing, Floyd. I hope that rotator cuff gets better soon.
Dolly@Soulstops
Thursday, October 30, 2014 @ 11:17 am
Floyd,
I’m glad you made it back 🙂 Your description of the waves reminds me of something I read today by Dietrick Bonhoeffer on when a desire for something other than God captures us and we’re induced to forget about God…it made me pray for grace to remember God and His Promises…praying your shoulder heals soon…taking a break in So Cal…the beaches in N. Cal are usually cold
Dan Erickson
Friday, October 31, 2014 @ 9:03 am
I love your descriptive writing in this piece, Floyd. I hope all is going well and that shoulder continues to heal.
June
Friday, October 31, 2014 @ 10:33 am
Oh, Floyd, that does not sound like fun. I’m sorry about your injury. Injuries like that take so long to heal. No ocean for me, I like to leave the water to the monsters, and I don’t just mean the waves, lol. I’m thankful for the second chances God gives us, even though the learning of the lesson (sometimes over and over again!) is painful. Have a blessed weekend!
Barb Raveling
Friday, October 31, 2014 @ 2:17 pm
Oh, I’m sorry about your rotator cuff! I think it’s great that you went out surfing though. I love doing adventurous things. I also make the mistake of thinking things will be easy and them am surprised to find that they aren’t always easy! I’m thankful I’m learning how to press on in the face of difficulties as I always used to give up in the old days.
One of the hazards of being a person who usually has things comes easily is that you never learn to persevere. I remember telling my kids this when they were young since three were in that category, and my oldest just reminded me of it yesterday since he’s in the midst of his first “this is really hard” project in life. He’s thankful he’s having this lesson and it’s helping him grow and mature and also be in a position to help others through hard things, which is nice.
Hope you heal quickly.
Joanne Norton
Friday, October 31, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
Sorry, Brother. I knew something wasn’t going as well for you as usual, but, as I often say, “Life Gets Complicated.” With my age, my body is working fairly well, but my brain is getting more and more messed up. Anyhow, the coldness, etc., hit me in Lake Superior, Lake Michigan area, and part of the area of Pacific in Oregon and Washington, and the Atlantic in Morocco and New Hampshire. So, been around and about. But so far have been able to reasonably survive. I’m very sorry for you. Hope things work out well as time goes on. You bless many, so hopefully the blessings will be buried in you instead of flowing out. Thank you for sharing.
Dan Black
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 @ 5:44 pm
Great thoughts as always! While reading this what kept coming to mind was that we can’t tame our human/fleshly but God can and when we fail He has more then enough grace for us.