“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~

I think I have spent a life time trying to collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. I have a closet full of purses. My file of blog layouts is filled to the brim with different themes I have used, would like to use, or am currently using (esp. if the theme switcher is activated). If you have read my blog for any length of time (no matter how short… like, even since the beginning of this CWO meme) - I change “the look” often. There is some creative satisfaction when I change, being able to make it work, and look good. But, must I have every shell on the beach? Why can’t I just be happy collecting a few? There are lots of areas in my life, where I am almost obsessive in “having” this one, and that one, and Ooohhhh… how pretty, I have to get this one too”.

But, I realized, that I don’t have this obsession in every area of my life. Relationships. Yes, I’ve been married twice. The first time, I married way too young, and marriage at that time was more of an “out” for me rather than a “until death do us part” committment. But I have been married to David for 22 years now. The “shell” has a few nicks in it, and its seen some rough seas. But, we have survived them.

Friendships. I have acquaintences. I have lots of people I say “hi” to when at the store, and, I know them by name. But. There are 2 friends that I would call in the middle of the night if something awful where to happen. These friends know me, warts and all, and amazingly enough, still love me. I don’t “collect” friends. Matter of fact, there are probably a few people out there in the community that I could be friends with — close friends, but, I just have a problem letting people get close. So, I cherish these 2 friends that have broke through the wall, and sit with me on the other side.

And — my God. Literally. My Lord and Savior. He is the best shell of all. There are things in my life that I put way too much importance on, thigns that don’t mean a hill of beans. But, I love my one and only God, and I do my best to serve him, the best I can. I read something the other day. God didn’t “make” me … he is “making” me — I’m still a work in progress. Which means there is still hope for me, to become a better servant, to put those things of insignificance away, and focus on on what is truly important.

So, even though my life is clutters with lots and lots of material things, my collection of shells is few — the most important shells in my life — my family, my friends, and my God — and beautiful they are.


CWO posts a quote every Friday in hopes that it will inspire us, as members of Christian Women Online to jot down our thoughts. On each Tuesday following, they post our written articles here, along with links to the other Christian women online who are joining in with a post on their blog.