I’ve been feeling a bit melancholy lately. Maybe reflective is a better word. Or meditative. Or Contemplative. I don’t know if it’s the number of funerals that I’ve attended or preached lately that reminds me of my own mortality. Maybe it’s been the process of sifting through all our ‘stuff’ during our move that has become a weariness of the flesh! Or it maybe it’s the moral mess our country is in that is dismaying.
So, it’s probably fitting I came across this article today, by the famous author “anonymous.” It was given to me by my dear friend, Judy Baker, who’s gone on to her reward.
You’ve watched it too. I know I’m not the first or only person who has observed it. But there is a lesson in it we both may have overlooked. There are some children on a beach. They’re playing at the edge of the water. Giggling. Building sandcastles.
They seem so intent on the project. You get amused at how meticulous and careful they are with crumbly corners and tiny turrets. The looks on their faces as they screw their mouths around and stick out their tongues in earnest concentration are priceless.
Then a big wave starts to close in! But the kids don’t panic. They do the strangest thing. They jump to their feet, scream with excitement, and Watch the waves wash away their creations. There is no hysteria. No sadness. No bitterness. Even little children know the fate that awaits sandcastles. So they are neither shocked nor angry when the tide comes in.
You and I should be so wise. The stuff of this world is about as permanent as sandcastles on a beach. Yet we get so caught up in it, defensive over it, and depressed over the loss of it. But God didn’t create you for this world. Your destiny is not bound up in physical stuff. So living to be a hundred years old is far less important than living well – even if for a relatively short time.
Beautifying your body is not nearly so urgent as living with a pure heart before God. Children know that their castles in the sand are brief joys destined to be taken away by an incoming tide. So they don’t fret as the waves approach. They watch their creations get swept away without shedding tears.
Everything about this life is so transient. The incoming wave or our mortality is going to sweep it all away. Like sandcastles at the edge of the ocean, nothing we do for the sake of this world can survive. Only what we do here for eternity will last. Only the treasures we send ahead will escape corruption.
What would the loss of your job or business do to you? What if your house were to go up in smoke tonight? What if a pain sent you to your doctor and led to the discovery that you have but a few weeks to live?
These things really do happen to people, you know. We are all vulnerable. We are all quite mortal. Everything about our existence here is about as enduring as sandcastles.
Well said brother anonymous! Along with Judy the sandcastles of my father, mother, brother and many aunts and uncles have been washed into eternity. I’m still building mine. And so are you. But let us remember, as we enjoy God’s gift of life and enjoy our time in the sun, not to become inordinately attached to the fleeting sandcastles of life.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Very good Ken! I am delivering my 90 year old aunt’s funeral message this afternoon in Jackson, Tennessee. My mother’s older sister. Honored that I was the one the family asked. Tanks again for your messages. I enjoy them all.
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Thanks Phil! I appreciate it. Wish you well in the service you’re conducting today
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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You continue to bring daily applicable and “we can do it!” thoughts. Thanks so much, Ken.
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You’re welcome, Aleta!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Ken, enjoy your thoughts. Yesterday I attended and helped participate in the funeral of one of the members here, 96 and 1/2 years old. Your thoughts would have been appropiate. We know our lives won’t last, but make it the best we can while we live. – Tommy thornhill
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Thanks Tommy! Good to hear from you. Thanks for following my blog….and maybe you can use “sandcastles” at your next funeral!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Excellent way for us to remember (This World is Not My Home I’m Just Passing Through).
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Thanks Clinnon! And thanks for following my blog
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Great thoughts for us all. Especially thanks for the rememberance to Judy Baker.
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May I always live in such a way that I am ready for the BIG wave.
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I like that Nancy! thanks for sharing!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Thank you! That was Beautiful!! I’m sorry to hear that you are feeling down and I pray that God will bring a smile back to your face and heart.
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Well, thank you LaVada. I’m not really feeling down. Just a bit reflective of life. Death. And the fleeting nature of all this stuff we have! But thank you for your concern and kindness.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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