Taking a Trip to Bird Island

A few weeks ago, my wife Ann and I took a little trip to the North Carolina coast to the coastal community of Sunset Beach to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  The beach was quiet and the weather was unusually warm for March.   I am no stranger to Sunset Beach.   Back in the 1970’s and early 1980’s,  I went there often for vacation.    South of the island of Sunset Beach is a place called Bird Island.  Bird Island is a natural area free from the development that clutters the beachfront in North Myrtle Beach to the south and Ocean Isle Beach to its north.   Owned now by the state of North Carolina,  Bird Island is dotted with sand dunes, sea oats, and some wild life.    

Ann and I walked that day south of Sunset Beach to Bird Island.  Along the beach front near the sand dunes on Bird Island is a mailbox with the words “Kindred Spirit” written upon it.  Inside the mailbox are writing utensils and notebooks where are written the thoughts of other pilgrims to Bird Island.  I was moved as I read some of the thoughts poured on the pages of that notebook.  One person shared about being there to scatter the ashes of a loved one.    Another person shared about her joy of walking there  after recovering from a stroke and learning to walk in recent months.  A grandmother shared about making her first trip there with her grandchild.  On the pages of that notebook, people poured out their hearts sharing great sorrows and great joys.     I did the same that day as I wrote, thought, and prayed at Bird Island.

Each one of us needs a place like Bird Island often in our lives.   All of us need a place of peace and serenity where we can share our joys and sorrows.    Whether we are on the North Carolina coast or miles away from there,  we have that kind of place in the presence of the Lord Jesus.    An old hymn puts it this way:

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

I hope you take a trip to your Bird Island real soon and know that the Lord Jesus meets  you there.  Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall  

Prayer:    O God, we give you thanks that you are only a prayer away for us to share the joys and sorrows of our lives.   Thank you for your faithful love for us;  through Christ our Lord. Amen.