The marvelous
There’s a plaque hanging in my bathroom that says, “Ocean – in all things in Nature there is something of the Marvelous” by Aristotle. The
I am a “Jersey Girl” and grew up along the New Jersey shore 2 miles from the beach! I had a healthy attitude toward the surf, its beauty, power and a healthy fear of those waves. I have always felt the presence of God on the sand! I vividly remember walking several blocks to the beach and almost physically feeling the stress, anxiety and fear falling away! Breathing in “The Marvelous” presence of God (the Holy Spirit) and breathing out the burdens that were weighing me down. I love being at the beach ANY TIME of the year. The result is always peace and rest.
As the summer winds down, I look forward to the normalness of life again and a daily routine. It’s easy to slip out of regular time with the Lord during the summer months. I look forward to being in God’s presence even when I’m not at the beach or near the ocean.
Colossians 1:22& 23a says “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the good news.” NLT
I’m thankful I don’t go in and out of God’s presence because Jesus brought me in through his blood! Now that’s what I call The Marvelous!
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to bring me into your presence as your daughter. Thank you for always being with me through your Holy Spirit and never leaving me! Thank you for your beautiful creation of the ocean and how it teaches us about your character and your mercy! In your name, Lord Jesus, Amen!
Rita Rabideau, Edison NJ
Rita Rabideau has been teaching Cardio Strength & Flexibility® for 15 years and is the Area Director for NJ/PA/NY. She is a busy wife and mother to 3 adult children and 1 daughter-in-law. Rita loves teaching fitness classes and doing various ministries with her husband of 35 years. She also enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with friends. 
