When the Water Calls

Have you ever felt like you were purposed for something more than you are doing right now? How about having that feeling that you have been placed or put into the wrong location? That was me for most of my childhood. I have always felt like the place I was born and the things I have done, have not really lived up to the storm that is brewing in my soul. This is the story of when the water calls.

As a young child I knew that the midwest was not for me. I have never been a fan of snow or cold. Not really enjoyed snowboarding or going outside with gloves on. Never enjoyed wearing a stocking cap for more than just an accessory. I have never desired to go to a top of a mountain or ski in Colorado. It is just not me. I could never really put my finger on it at a young age, but as I got older it started to really take shape. The problem was that I was made for the ocean. I was made for the beach. I was made for more than the small town, snow hills, and frosty the snowman. I was made for the crashing waves, the sound of seagulls, and the sand between my toes. The issue was that I could never convince my parents that this calling I had was worth them moving across the country for me to fulfill it. So I had to wait. I had to live with it.

I supplemented this calling with the lake. I grew up near one, and spent all summer on it. I would be in the water at the crack of dawn, and wouldn’t leave until we were forced to or until my sunburn was too bad to keep going. But it was for me. It solidified the need for open water, warm weather, and the feel of the water across my face.

So you better believe that when I had the opportunity to move to the ocean as an adult, I took it. I was in heaven. There was nothing like getting off of work, grabbing your trunks, and just walking the beach during the sunset. There was nothing better than spending the evening holding your wife’s hand, drinking a cup of coffee, and watching your kids run wild as the tide rolled in. It was the life. Now were there negatives? Sure, but I knew it was what my soul needed. So you could imagine how hard it was to move away. To go back to the midwest so that my family could spend more time with our families. Not that I don’t love my family, but couldn’t they move to the ocean with us? Well the answer was no. And now…. I am stuck. I am in a position where my family is in a place that they love, and is safe, and that meets their desires and needs. But mine? Not as much as the ocean.

So there comes these times in the year where the water calls. When I can hear the ocean saying my name. Where my soul needs to be refreshed. These times have been hard to do as I had changed career paths, and PTO was a premium that I didn’t have much of. Until the pandemic hit.

For many this time was VERY hard. And I am not going to say it was super simple for us either, but things did happen to work out. We had more time as a family. We were less busy, less stressed, and less out there. We were close to home, in nature, with the ones who mattered most. We were into more simple things, and with my job moving fully remote, I was able to still afford what we were used to. So overall it was a great time for our family.

With the world coming back to life there was one thing that stayed true. That is my job stayed fully remote. I get to work from where ever I want. I get to travel and go. I get to do my work from remote places or close to home or at home. It doesn’t matter. Just get your work done, and do it well.

This past summer the time came. My soul was yearning for the ocean. We had to go. I didn’t care the cost or the place, but I had to go. I had to see it. I had to touch it. I had to be near it. It was what my heart was desiring. So we went. We went to our normal spot in New Smyrna Beach FL. We chose this awesome condo right off the ocean. On the bottom level. Just steps away from the pool and from the ocean. The first evening we went. The next day we went. We went to the ocean so much, my kids couldn’t stand it. It was like heaven.

I say all of this to say that sometimes adventure happens in the middle of life. This adventure both consisted of working and playing. It was a trip that was both fun, and hard. During the day while my family was out on the ocean, I was on the patio putting in work. Someone needed to work and make sure we had the finances to travel like we wanted. But I also wanted to work near the ocean. It was hard though. Each day it would call me out to it. But we made it work.

So what calls you? Are you where you were meant to be? Are you in a position to up and go? Can you take your job with you and work where you want? And if not what is keeping you from getting to where your heart desires? What is keeping you from turning your work into your dream?

I am challenging myself and you to get out there and put yourself out there. To work towards that dream that you have. To move towards your heart’s desires. To build your empire in an area where you feel at home. Where you feel content. Where you are home.

So get out there and adventure. Do it often, and love in the best way you know how while you are doing it. It is worth it to try and fail, and to move towards the dreams you have. God has bigger plans for you than you can ever dream. So for it!