Sandcastle

Every time we go to Dauphin Island, we HAVE to build a sandcastle!  Every day, there is a lot of building going on!  It begins with digging a moat.

The guys really got into it with the kids!

"Gerald", the heron keeps close watch.

During the night, the tide came in and destroyed what was done.

I was reminded of the hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."   

Sand is not a solid foundation, is it.  

     My hope is built on nothing less
     Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
     I dare not trust the sweetest frame
     But wholly lean on Jesus' name

          On Christ, the solid rock, I stand
          All other ground is sinking sand
          All other ground is sinking sand

I teach little children and we often sing the song "The foolish man built his house upon the sand."  It is "The wise an built his house upon the Rock!"

The homes here are built on sand!  Of course, the stilts the houses are built on go way, way deep.  There are a couple of the homes that are built right into the water!

The tide overnight made a nice tide pool for Claire to play in.

Her Barbie's wearing their 2020 masks.

They had to rebuild the castle.

Adding a watch tower.

Oh, oh.  Gerald!  Move!

"I'm King of the castle!"

On the last day, the kids decided to destroy the castle.  

STOMP, STOMP!!

Do you ever feel like your accomplishments don't come to much?  Like a castle that falls apart in the tide or gets stomped on by human or heron, what you've done doesn't seem to matter?  

CT Studd, who served as a British missionary to China once wrote:

          Only one life,’twill soon be past,
          Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Here is the whole poem:

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee