Remember the Sand

​by Kim Oyler

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Recently, while hiking with my family, my youngest son shared an interesting fact with me that really got me thinking. Together, as we walked along the rocky path that day, he randomly shared, “Did you know that if you carry a newly hatched sea turtle in a cup to release it into the ocean, it won't know where to come back and nest because it won’t remember the sand?”

“How interesting!” I thought. I’d never heard this before, but it made sense. The young and impressionable sea turtle would miss out on an important experience that God had intended for it. The sea turtle’s instinctual destination was the sea…but the journey there was an integral part of that destiny.

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How incredible that the memory of the journey is what would bring the turtle back home! 
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The JOURNEY would leave an impression on the young sea turtle that would eventually affect its long-term purpose.

As we continued to walk along the trail together, I continued to ponder the statement, “It won’t remember the sand.” My mind immediately thought about examples in the Bible when generations of kings failed to pass on important spiritual truths and experiences that the older generations had taken for granted or no longer believed. In turn, younger generations did not remember the sand. And because they couldn’t remember the sand, they too did not know how to find their way “home” to the Father.

I am reminded and encouraged that we, too, must pass on our faith, our testimonies, and lessons learned along our own journeys to those who come after us. We must not hide our stories behind the veil of shame or insecurity. Our biological and spiritual children depend on us to help them remember the sand.

Additionally, many times as mothers, we are tempted to “carry our children in cups.” In other words, sometimes we feel that we know a better, faster, or easier way. Our motivation is love and protection; however, rescuing them from difficulties cripples them in a way we don't anticipate.

We desire for our children to avoid the painful struggles of life. It’s difficult to watch them go through hardships, not make the team, get left out, hold down a job while attending school, etc. We remember the hardships we endured and desire to help our children avoid them.

What if I told you it’s all sand! All the difficulties in the journey are meant to point them home!

Whatever you do, don’t keep them from the sand. Don't rob them of the experiences that God has intended for them.

Have you heard the saying, “We can't keep our children from their testimonies?" It’s true! As they venture through the sand to their destinies, every hot spot, every dip, every mound in the sand that they must climb on their way to the sea is important! It’s those experiences that leave an impression to help them remember…where they started, from whom they come, and how to return home!

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​ABOUT OUR WRITER
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Kim and her husband, Brad, have been in ministry 33 years, the last 14 years as co-pastors of Courageous Life Church in Independence, Missouri. They have two adult sons, 3 grandchildren and 2 teen sons that keep them busy.  Kim enjoys farm life and being outdoors, as well as writing and teaching. She is stepping into a new season of courage and obedience as she continues to grow in her walk with the Lord.