So I really had a successful trip to Charleston and the surrounding area. While I was only there for a couple of days I was still able to do so much. the drive down was really pleasant as I drove some back roads through South Carolina to get down there...and I always love driving backgrounds. Like I said previously, I spent Sunday afternoon around downtown, just checking things out. It was a very old city, with much history going back to pre-American Revolution. Many of the houses in the city were early 18th century homes.
Monday was jam packed. I drove out to Sullivan's Island early in the morning to check out Fort Moultrie, a very historic place where African slaves were brought in from 1700-1775, America won its first full battle in the Revolutionary War, and the first submarine to sink an enemy warship occurred. Pretty cool. Then I took some time to sit on the beach and read through some of Ecclesiastes and the book of James, did some journaling...definitely a good start to the day.
From there it was off to Shem Creek, where I had heard of good, quiet kayaking, immersed in wildlife. I put in and took off around 10:30 and was able to paddle around for 4 miles. The area really was beautiful, and very quiet. There were tons of birds and big fish and fortunately no alligators.
After Shem Creek I drove out to Isle of Palms and just took a nap out on the sand. Read a bit. Just relaxed. It was such perfect weather and a fairly nice beach, not as beautiful as Sullivan's Island, a more untouched natural beach. From there I put in my kayak again, this time in the Intercoastal from the point of the Isle of Palms. It was a private boat ramp, but it was really the only one that I could find so I just went for it.
I got out on the water around 5 pm and went with the current to a small little tributary that led me through the tall grasses toward a little island. The path was very narrow at points, but so peaceful and calm. With the light breeze blowing through the grass and the sunset creating a golden reflection in the water I just had to sit and soak it all in for a while. It felt really good to be out there all alone, knowing you're the only human alive, just a spectator of nature doing its thing...whether or not I was there, creation would run its course of beauty. It doesn't do it for me, but because God has established it so. And in that time it became so clear to me that creation was crying out the spectacular glory of God. There is no other reason for such awe inspiring beauty, than to point to the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Beauty is funny like that. In something so simple, some water and some muddy, grassy reeds, there is beauty. Sure it is physically appealing and visually stimulating...it really is. But when we still our minds and see the complexity of creation, that every small ripple of water is fulfilling its purpose, that every blade of grass is moving to its Master's commands...that there is NOTHING, no bird, or fish, or blade of grass, or butterfly, or clump of mud, or body of water that is not under the mighty control of our sovereign Lord; then we see the real beauty of this complex world. And we were created to be drawn toward the One who holds all things firmly in his hand. It is not the beauty but the Author of the beauty we must be in awe of...awe that brings us to worship.
I was struck by this all evening as I was continually stunned by the beauty around me. I was able to just sit in the middle of the Intercoastal and watch the sun set behind islands in distance. The sun's red glow gave the water a stunning color and the sky was immaculate in it's red to blue color spectrum. I will not soon forget that moment. I felt so special to be a part of that, but yet so small in this world.
From there I strapped the kayak back on and drove south to Folly Beach, which is southeast of Charleston. I sat out on the boardwalk and cook up some chili on my stove while I watched the Rangers vs Yankees playoff game on my laptop (using internet from the nearby Holiday Inn). But afterward I had a great conversation with God. I just talked to Him. What struck me was the waves. There were so many and they were so constant in flowing to shore. And again I was reminded of the sovereignty of God. That if He has a plan and a purpose for each wave that comes to shore how could He forget me?
The waves may not know where God is leading them, but they eventually reach their destination and thus have their purpose. And in the midst of all my struggles and discontentment about now and anxiety about the future I finally felt a peace seeing those waves gently pushing up to shore. God was teaching me then and there that He has MUCH for me. Though I may not know what it looks like I MUST trust Him. And the awe and wonder of His majesty brought me to a place of worship deep within my soul. The God who controls the waves of the ocean is my Father.
Blessings.
-b garrison
View Charleston, SC in a larger map
The top map follows where I drove to Charleston and around the area. The below map is a detailed view of where I kayaked.
View Charleston Kayaking in a larger map
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