Cape Cod: Seabreezes and Sunshine

Cape Cod is one of those watercolors where the sea, sand, and sky run together…where the sky is huge and the dunes seem endless. Mounds of wild roses crown the dunes, and seagulls fly above the cresting waves.  They say the Pilgrims landed here in 1620 before continuing across the bay to Plymouth Rock, the official “birthplace” of America…and yet, this is the same spot about which Henry David Thoreau wrote:
“A man may stand there and put all America behind him.” For this reason, it seemed the perfect place to take Joel for a little retreat! Our first stop was the Visitor’s Center for a pass  and to learn more about this 63 sq. mile national park paradise with its gorgeous, 40-mile shoreline. We were there in time to see a film on Cape Cod’s maritime history, but I would love to go camping here sometime for days and soak in everything!  As it was, we contented ourselves with a long stroll down the beach, a little beach combing, and basking in the endless rush of sunshine and salt air.   🙂   Well past lunch time, we enjoyed picturesque Nauset Lighthouse   before driving to the end of Cape Cod into the quaint village of Provincetown. Here we waited patiently for the unquestionably best lunch in town,  with the unquestionably best view in town.  To us, nothing is more delicious than “lobster pots” at the Lobster Pot, right at the end of the pier where fresh lobsters are caught and hauled in daily! After lunch we took a stroll through town to take in the sights. Although Provincetown is a small community with only 3,000 residents, it caters to a summer population of 60,000. It’s one of those places where anything goes, I think in the name of freedom and artistic flair. I’m personally all for being unconventional and having fun, but I also believe that true freedom is found in following God’s commandments. God offers us a safe way to walk on the water without fear of drowning,  and his commands were given to us for our own good because he loves us! For instance, you might feel that skydiving with a parachute on your back or heading out to sea with a bunch of sails on your ship is too restrictive. You might not like the heavy weight of a parachute and think it’s too burdensome. But, the “freedom” to free fall to your death isn’t a good freedom! What about sails? They’re heavy to hoist & take a lot of practice to use properly, but they can also help you get to your destination.  The same is true of God’s Word. When you open up the parachute at the right moment,  it keeps you from dying, and when you use the sails on a sailing ship, they’ll speed you on your way. I’m thankful that Joel is working hard at learning how to handle his craft, and it’s reassuring to see him heading out to sea with his sails hoisted high! Happy sailing! May we all remember that God’s way is the best way.

“What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, ESV, emphasis mine…it’s for our good!)