A Tale of Two Sundays

Need to be in Laguna Beach today at 10 so I leave the house at 6 and its 52 degrees. Skies are partly cloudy. Overall the beach is very pleasant. I mean…it is the beach. Sure its a little cold and yeah its a little cloudy but its just nice. It’s quiet. It’s “warm enough.” Just super peaceful and its good to be here.

The water feels cool but not stinging cold. Surf is pretty calm. I set down my backpack and head out to the water. I eventually dive in and its good. It’s a bit chilly but nothing too bad. Water visibility is pretty cloudy but I’m encased in a blue-green void that sustains us all. As I head south and the morning moves forward, the sun shines upon the water and reflects off of the surface with this precious glow.

I’m breathing and trying to release my ego. I want to experience this morning, this water free from my persona that I imagine needs to be or to do or to whatever. It’s trying to achieve something, be something. How can I let that all just fall away right now and let go to this beautiful morning.

I’m thinking of the church service I plan to attend this morning. I’m excited because last week was so special. On the one hand I feel worlds away from what one would think of when they think of church. I see Christ in so many odd and non-Christian settings, I don’t know about heaven, hell or the second coming but I know that Jesus resonates with me and last week I felt a presence that connected me with the love that I believe Jesus embodies. I’m coming to peace with the fact that my beliefs do not be the same as those who I worship with.

I turn to make my final push to shore and see about 7 pelicans swoop down and hover inches off the surface of the water.

I dry off and put on a sweatshirt and then head back to the stairs that will take me to the parking lot. I meet another swimmer. Super friendly and we talk about last Sunday. Last Sunday was from a different world - high surf and crazy cold. He said he heard it was 53 degrees. 53 degrees!! Ed Piorek at church also tells me he heard it was 53 degrees last week. I just remember it was mind numbingly (literally) cold. Today is totally different. It is not warm. I repeat…it is not warm. But the cold is a good and benign cold.