Beach Camping Story
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and summer is winding down.
And how quickly it has gone by, just like life. You know, I thought of that last week when I was flipping through some old photos. I wanted to find one in particular. When I came across so many old family photos (you know, ones with my mother and father), I realized I better make some groups here. One of the piles were old photos from beach camping along the Atlantic shore of Maryland and Delaware. I saw one with my mom and dad and me, and Aunt Lee and Uncle Eddie with their kid, little Eddie, and Aunt Rose and Uncle Stoney and their daughter, Paula. I looked at the photo. I think I was about 11 years old, and as I stared at it examining everyone’s faces, I realized that Eddie and I (little Eddie) are the only ones who are still alive. Everyone else in that photo has passed away. Right away, I emailed it to little Eddie mentioning that he and I were the only ones still living amongst the group. He emailed me back, thanking me and reflecting on how quickly time flies, and how precious are the moments God gives us. We are indeed but wisps of smoke and fading vapor, just like the Bible says.
And looking at that photo, I remember that particular day on the beach. I remember it so well. We had gathered conch shells and lined them up by our tents. Uncle Eddie packed sand around me and little Eddie and he put coffee cans in the front of the sand stacks, like headlights. My mother and Aunt Lee were back at the tent washing and gutting the blue crabs, getting them ready and packing them on ice until dinnertime. My dad would get out the Coleman stove nice and hot, put a chunk of butter on the grill to sizzle, lightly dust the crabs with flour, then slap them on the hot metal to fry until just right. Nothing tasted better than my Aunt Lee’s corn on the cob and fresh coleslaw, sliced Maryland tomatoes, and Daddy’s fried crabs. It’s why every time around this year, I love to put together a special dinner to kind of ‘celebrate the end of summer.’ For me, it’s a way of honoring the wonderful the memories my parents gave me. And it’s a way of thanking them—of thanking God, as well!
You know, Philippians Chapter 1, verse 3 says, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” Isn’t that wonderful? Every time I think of my mom and dad and all of my real and not-so-real cousins and aunts and uncles, whenever I think of these precious people and all they’ve meant in my life, I give thanks to my God. Each person God has placed in my life—they were a gift. Actually, little Eddie is still a gift. And they are God’s gifts to remind me to give thanks to Him.
You know, I can’t send you my father’s recipe for Maryland blue crabs fried in flour and butter. I guess that’s all Daddy used. The trick is, knowing how to clean them. But I can send you my mother’s recipe for her delicious Maryland crab cakes. You got to go to joniandfriends.org/radio and either download it, or you can ask for Lindy Eareckson’s crab cake recipe and we’ll mail it off right away. And while you’re on my radio page, I have posted that photo of my family and me (me when I was just 11 years old and on my feet). Such a fun picture, it is! Finally, take a minute today to reflect on wonderful memories for yourself, and let those be a platform for your praise and thanksgiving to God—the God of the Bible who only gives good and perfect gifts. And many of those gifts are from years ago with your aunts, your uncles, your cousins and your parents.
Oh, and by the way, if you have a prayer request, let me know on our radio page and our Joni and Friends staff will lift up your need before the Lord. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends.
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