During our recent trip to California, we found the unmarked, one-lane road and drove the 2 miles to the parking lot. We’d been told by the locals that Pfeiffer Beach was “the place” to watch the sunset. My husband told me to go ahead as he put the convertible top up. I was walking quickly not knowing how much of a trek it was to the beach and the sunlight was quickly fading. I could hear the roar but where I was walking the trail was pretty closed in until … it wasn’t.
Right in front of me the waves came crashing literally through the rock into the cove of Pfeiffer Beach. The power of the waves literally made me stop in my tracks and step back. Was this a good idea??
The sheer power of the water colliding with the rocks was intoxicating and terrifying in the same instant. It demanded respect, this beauty inundated with power that can literally wash away solid rock. There was no stopping it. Just like there is no stopping God’s mercy.
Moses asked God for His name. God’s response was “Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abounding in Loving Kindness and Truth.” Exodus 34:6
In Isaiah 59 Israel is in a real mess. “Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.” Not a pretty picture. The prophet Isaiah goes on to tell us God realizes there is no one to rescue Israel. So what does the One whose name begins with “merciful” do? He chooses to extend mercy and save Israel Himself.
From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord,
and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
For he [Our Redeemer] will come like a pent-up flood
that the breath of the Lord drives along.
Isaiah 59:19
I don’t know about you, but until I saw those waves literally washing away rock and heard “my mercy comes in like a flood” I’d never thought of mercy as a powerful thing. I had it more in the “meek and mild” category. Not any more.
Where am I going with all of this?
Good question. Do you have anyone in your life that you have over-protected out of love? Perhaps tried to make their world a better place by not allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions or choices. Let me be the first to put up my hand, actually I should probably put up both hands and my feet if I were more flexible 🙂
Whatever a loved one’s problem is, if you protect them from the consequences of it how can they heal, learn and grow?
Co-dependent is the “label” society puts on it. Killing someone with kindness is how I have recently come to see it.
When I did see it, what my Heavenly Father showed me was this moment at Pfeiffer Beach and He asked me “will you surrender them to my mercy”? That seemed pretty scary to me. Surrendering someone to that raw power. But wait a minute if His mercy comes in like that flood, it also means His mercy cannot be stopped. It will find a way through and it can carry away any blockage that gets in its path. That’s a lot more than I can do for anyone.
If there is someone in your life that you are killing with kindness, may I suggest that you surrender that loved one to the mercy of our Heavenly Father and let His mercy wash over and consume them and you like the waves in this video?
Hope Without Limits 
I am going through some very hard times now and you don’t know how much I needed to read this. Thanks.
Oh Linda – I am so sorry life is so difficult for you right now. As I posted this blog, my prayer was “for the one” and apparently that is you. Our God is so kind!!