Faith - Family - Michigan

Rocks and Waves

Recently I saw a tee shirt online with this message: Just a Michigan girl in an Illinois world. I feel that way. Michigan is home to me even though I have lived in Illinois for many years.

We were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan a week ago. We had projects that we were working on, but we found some time to spend along the coast of Lake Superior.

Of the great lakes, Lake Superior is the majestic one—in my opinion. The coastline is rugged.

Superior Coast

Many colorful rocks show up on the beaches, thrown up from the deep by the waves. Some days the waves are light, but on other days the waves thunder as they crash on the beach.

Superior Shore:rocks

Since childhood I have enjoyed looking at the rocks. I still remember showing a rock to my uncle. He exclaimed, “That’s an agate. You found an agate.”

Agates come in a variety of forms and colors. Bands of color mark these stones. At one point in time minerals entered pockets in porous rocks and became fused there. When the rocks are wet it is easiest to see the bands of color.

Lake Superior Agate
Lake Superior Agate

I can spend a couple hours walking along the shore of Lake Superior, with the sound of waves making a powerful but soothing rhythm. In the process of looking for agates I lose myself, absorbed with beauty that God has created in nature.

A quote from Henry David Thoreau resonates with me: Nature doth thus kindly heal every wound. By the mediation of a thousand little mosses and fungi, the most unsightly objects become radiant of beauty. There seem to be two sides of this world, presented us at different times, as we see things in growth or dissolution, in life or death. And seen with the eye of the poet, as God sees them, all things are alive and beautiful.
Source: Journal entry, March 13, 1842

I forget the latest news. I am away from television, my computer and the phone. I am away from the voices in our culture. I am thankful for this time to be restored. I am thankful for our Creator.

Mightier than the thunder of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!
Psalm 93:4

Carol is a follower of Jesus and a wife, mom & grandma. She worked for many years as a childbirth nurse and prenatal educator. She recently retired from clinical work. She has written articles for nursing journals and devotionals. Her novel, Aliisa's Letter, was published in 2010 and she is currently working on another project.

10 Comments on “Rocks and Waves

  1. i enjoyed reading about your vacation on lake superior:) despite the fact that i was born in MN (virginia, the largest city near Ore, where my parents lived at that time.

    the year was 1946. long b/f i could remember. many years later, when i was visiting WI w my new husband, we drove up to Superior and beyond, to see my birthplace:) fun!

  2. Pretty view of the lake. And the rocky beach looks like an awesome spot for a rock collector!
    Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

  3. It is so nice to have those times where we can just be with God as our focus. I am glad that you found that time for yourself. Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Brew.

  4. I have never been to Lake Superior. My husband and I keep bringing up that area lately in vacation conversations. You definitely peaked my interest here. Thanks for the recommendation :)!

  5. For nearly 30 years I have been taken many, many times to the Lake Superior portion from Duluth and north. Love the water, the rivers, the rocks you showed [I’ve had a number of them here at home], and the trees and the rest of it. I love it there. Since our 30th anniversary is next month, we might have a chance to go up again. That’s what we usually do. My husband was born and raised in the Twin Cities and, as a kid and a teen, he had been up there. When marrying me, and I’d never been there, but had been raised in the Northwest so LOVED the rivers and the mountains and hills and rocks, he took me there. Even though a mountain isn’t right in my face, everything looks like it could be just above the hills and the lake could be an ocean. Funny, huh? He wanted me to smile. And ever since then, it’s a smiling time and a rejoicing time. Thank you for sharing. Sorry to yammer so long, but you grabbed my heart, b/c I saw so much that I loved! Bless you.

  6. I haven’t been to Lake Superior yet. I’ve seen all the other great lakes, just not that one yet. I love rocks too. I’d be like a kid in a candy shop if I was there. Nice pics

    1. Debbie, I hope you get a chance to visit Lake Superior–it is the crown jewel of the great lakes.

  7. A walk along the shore sounds lovely, Carol! It’s been awhile since I’ve visited – I like the new look! Have a blessed weekend!

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