The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach-waiting for a gift from the sea. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea

This little book is itself a gift. Written by Anne Morrow Lindbergh while on a solo retreat by the sea, Gift from the Sea is a collection of reflections drawn from seashells she gathers along the shore. Each chapter begins with a shell — its shape, texture, or name — and opens into a meditation on life, womanhood, solitude, simplicity, and spiritual presence. It’s small and quiet, but brimming with wisdom. I already know I’ll be coming back to it throughout my life.

In this passage, she describes the kind of posture the sea invites in her: not frantic searching, but open receptivity. Not grasping, but waiting. When I read it, that image turns in my mind — God is the sea, and I am the beach. He brings me shells — small treasures, if I’m paying attention — to show me His love and to teach me. These “shells” might come in the form of a Scripture, a moment with a friend, a hard situation, or something I notice in my surroundings. They’re so easy to miss. Especially when they arrive wrapped in something awful.

I’m learning to believe this kind of posture — open, watchful, and expectant — is actually what Scripture invites us into too.

• Hebrews 2 calls us to pay the most careful attention to what we’ve heard.
• 1 Peter 5 says to be sober-minded and alert.
• Ephesians 5 urges us to wake up, sleeper, and pay careful attention.

These verses are also warnings — be vigilant, beware temptation, be on guard. But I wonder if the posture they’re calling for is also more tender than that. More relational. A call not just to vigilance, but to awareness. A kind of alertness that helps us hear God when He whispers. A kind of wakefulness that allows us to receive the gifts He’s already offering.

Some read these passages and think to follow Christ is to be serious, focused, diligent. But I read them and think: There is treasure for those who pay attention. There is more, deeper life if I can stay open and connected to God.

<aside>

Spirit, reshape me into a listening posture. Let me be like the shoreline — soft, ready, open. Let every shell You leave be a gift I don’t miss.

</aside>