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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

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When God meets us in ocean waves

My one request for my 45th birthday was to go to the ocean. 

My husband Shawn and three daughters took me to a little beach town along the Central Coast of California called Cambria. I didn’t realize until we arrived that this was the same town my late husband Ericlee took me for my birthday almost 20 years ago. 

The memories flooded back. We were barely married a month when Ericlee told me to pack a weekend bag because he had a surprise for me. We drove three hours and checked into the same quaint lodge near the coast.

Suddenly, I was a twenty-something married girl walking through the sand hand-in-hand with my love. We had our whole lives ahead of us. We made footprints in the sand and dreamed of what our life might be like in twenty years when we had kids, ministry, and full careers.

The ocean has been my place of refuge since I was a little girl. I did not grow up by the ocean but we would make a point of going to the beach when we visited my grandparents in California or when we traveled for other family vacations. 

Maybe it’s my Polynesian/Pacific Islander heritage, but the ocean has always been a place of grounding, a place where I feel most at home and closest to God. 

When I was a tween, I remember planting myself in the sand with a journal and writing poetry for hours. The water would ebb and flow, crash and calm before me. And I would get caught up in its rhythm. The words and phrases and feelings tumbled out of me onto the page like a riptide. 

Psalm 19:1 tells us the heavens declare the glory of God, but I believe the ocean is part of that same symphony too. Somehow I always get lost in the swirl of colors, the dance of the deep navy swell with the swirling turquoise waters before the ocean lifts her head to kiss the azure sky and melt back into the arms of the sapphire blue horizon. 

God meets us in the nuanced glory of the water and waves. 

The ocean speaks of God’s awesome power. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us: “This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name” (Jeremiah 31:35 NIV). This prophecy reminds us that God is the one who controls Creation. He can stir up the waters and harness tsunamis because He created it all in the first place.

Years ago, I went body surfing in Costa Rica. There on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world I grew a healthy reverence for the ocean. One solitary wave picked me up and spit me out so hard on the shore that it was a wonder I could even walk afterwards. That experience always comes back to me when I venture into the ocean now. The water is powerful and unpredictable.

We are to have this same healthy fear and respect for God. He is at once the Masterful Creator, our Loving Father, the Ultimate Judge, and our Caring Shepherd. 

I can’t help but think about that story in the New Testament when Jesus was taking a nap in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. When a wild storm rears its ugly head on the water, the disciples wake him trembling with fear.

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26 NLT). Jesus demonstrates his power over nature right after he heals several people.

I remember going to the ocean not long after my husband Ericlee died. While my young daughters built sand castles, I watched the waves for hours. The rushing water flowing in and out brought me surprising comfort. God welcomed my salty tears, my questions, and my fears as I burrowed my toes in the sand and wondered what my future would hold. 

Back on the shore in Cambria for my 45th birthday, I marveled at the ways God has met me through the years at the ocean and how my dreams have unfolded. My daughters, who are now 10, 13, and 16, napped and read books with me. They are ocean girls too – at home in the salty air and dancing in the waves. 

My husband Shawn and I just celebrated our 6th anniversary in January. He understands I am drawn to the water and how it reconnects my soul to God. In many ways, I’m living the life I dreamed of 20 years ago, but the white water I had to navigate to get here was nothing like I imagined. 

I’m deeply grateful for the ways God calls me to remember these moments and experience His presence every time I return to the ocean. God speaks in whispers, wind, and waves. 

Friend, do you have a special place or a part of nature that helps you connect with God? Is it the sunset, the mountains, or perhaps the garden that draws you back to Him? Please share in the comments.

For weekly stories and resources on how to discover more of God’s glory, subscribe to Dorina’s Glorygram here or follow her on Instagram.

*This article was originally published at www.Incourage.me

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June 7, 2022 Categories: Featured, General, Navigating Grief

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Comments

  1. Em Lifford says

    October 18, 2022 at 11:37 am

    I am part of the team at Eternal Wall of answered prayer in the Uk and we are looking to gather stories of answered prayers into the database. Eternal Wall is a Christian monument that will be built. out of a million bricks each representing an answer to prayer. You can find out more at http://www.eternalwall.org.uk Who would i need to contact please about permission to gather these stories of hope into the database. Many Thanks

    Reply
    • Dorina says

      January 14, 2023 at 11:23 am

      You can email me at dorina at dorinagilmore.com

      Reply

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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  • When your answer just might be a question June 3, 2023
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Woke up at the crack of dawn to go on a photography adventure with my middle girl. The Clovis Fest Hot Air Balloon Show did not disappoint! 🎈Hope floats.

🫶🏾Hop over to @thefeatheronline to see Giada’s first photo post for the student newspaper!

@old_town_clovis #clovis #hotairballoonfestival @clovischamber

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Sep 24

Open
Woke up at the crack of dawn to go on a photography adventure with my middle girl. The Clovis Fest Hot Air Balloon Show did not disappoint! 🎈Hope floats.
🫶🏾Hop over to @thefeatheronline to see Giada’s first photo post for the student newspaper!
@old_town_clovis #clovis #hotairballoonfestival @clovischamber
78 4

📣Today we celebrated the launch of our new web site with the @thefeatheronline newspaper staff! I’m so proud of these students! What a joy to step into a new role this year as a writing coach and to partner with @korijamesphoto to equip these young journalists!

My @meilanigilmore is the new Arts & Entertainment Editor and Giada joined the photojournalist staff! Also, good celebration always involves good eats! Hop over to www.TheFeather.com or download our app through Student News Source and check out their work! 🎉 #studentjournalism @fresnochristianschools

View

Sep 23

Open
📣Today we celebrated the launch of our new web site with the @thefeatheronline newspaper staff! I’m so proud of these students! What a joy to step into a new role this year as a writing coach and to partner with @korijamesphoto to equip these young journalists! 
My @meilanigilmore is the new Arts & Entertainment Editor and Giada joined the photojournalist staff! Also, good celebration always involves good eats! Hop over to www.TheFeather.com or download our app through Student News Source and check out their work! 🎉 #studentjournalism @fresnochristianschools
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Join me as I walk through Psalm 140 today! This psalm comes from the pen of David, who is crying out for deliverance. He appeals to God who is full of mercy and justice.❤️‍🩹

🫶🏾Friend, do you need someone to guard you today? Are you feeling hunted, tempted, discouraged? Drop an emoji below so I can pray for you. And go read Psalm 140!

📝Hop over to DorinaGilmore.com to sign up for my Glorygram and enter for a copy of Pilgrim by Ruth Chou Simons.

#devotional #prayer #biblestudy #psalm #david #deliverer

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Sep 22

Open
Join me as I walk through Psalm 140 today! This psalm comes from the pen of David, who is crying out for deliverance. He appeals to God who is full of mercy and justice.❤️‍🩹
🫶🏾Friend, do you need someone to guard you today? Are you feeling hunted, tempted, discouraged? Drop an emoji below so I can pray for you. And go read Psalm 140! 
📝Hop over to DorinaGilmore.com to sign up for my Glorygram and enter for a copy of Pilgrim by Ruth Chou Simons. 
#devotional #prayer #biblestudy #psalm #david #deliverer
23 3

My heart is full after a week of teaching, preaching, and listening to the stories of the beautiful women of my church. We are going through a study called Foundations written by our pastor @bell_brad

I got to teach on this week’s theme, “Sharing Your Story,” and illuminated the powerful testimonies of three women in the Bible who met Jesus, were transformed by His love, and then were sent out to share their stories.

In our small group time, women were invited to share their 3-minute stories around the tables. There were lots of tears, but also laughter and breakthroughs.

✍🏾Did you know God designed our bodies so that physiological healing happens in sharing our stories? Trauma can get dislodged from places it might be stuck in our brains and new pathways are formed.

🎤 You can listen to my message here: https://thewellcommunity.org/podcasts/womens-bible-study/foundations-week

#sharingstories #womensupportingwomen #ladypreacher #biblestudy #womensbiblestudy #samaritanwoman #bleedingwoman #marymagdalene #sisterhood #brainscience @wellchurch @melissadanisi

View

Sep 22

Open
My heart is full after a week of teaching, preaching, and listening to the stories of the beautiful women of my church. We are going through a study called Foundations written by our pastor @bell_brad 
I got to teach on this week’s theme, “Sharing Your Story,” and illuminated the powerful testimonies of three women in the Bible who met Jesus, were transformed by His love, and then were sent out to share their stories. 
In our small group time, women were invited to share their 3-minute stories around the tables. There were lots of tears, but also laughter and breakthroughs.
✍🏾Did you know God designed our bodies so that physiological healing happens in sharing our stories? Trauma can get dislodged from places it might be stuck in our brains and new pathways are formed. 
🎤 You can listen to my message here: https://thewellcommunity.org/podcasts/womens-bible-study/foundations-week
#sharingstories #womensupportingwomen #ladypreacher #biblestudy #womensbiblestudy #samaritanwoman #bleedingwoman #marymagdalene #sisterhood #brainscience @wellchurch @melissadanisi
86 4

I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.

The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory

If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.

The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

View

Sep 21

Open
I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.
The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory
If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.
The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
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