And God Will Answer: Proverb and #PhotoOfTheDay
COTE D'IVOIRE
I’ve always been drawn to you. The soothing ways of your predictable replays, waves crashing on a shore like knocks at the door while the sand withstands these visits with a granular give and take. Some slippage within the sea, sipping each other’s beauty, but overall (like Khalil Gibran reminds) keeping its own distinct identity. The beach is my happy place. For those who know me, this is 101 info (obvi, have you not seen my handle?) In all the times I’ve sat, completely soaked in this scene, there is a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ about this love affair…
… Yet today, my body whispers that she’s made up of the beach. Deconstructed, I too am water and sand. So clearly, my soul sees this elemental unity. Et voila, the mystery makes sense: being on a beach is like sushi spending the day with a poke bowl ~ each is able to see some semblance of the other in itself.
After a dip in the infinity pool and a feast, the lads and I crossed the lagoon – first by kayak, then again by boat. Behind me is the channel, a calm brown sound; in front of me, a boisterous aquamarine thrashing crashing ocean.
What a site it was to see palm trees sandwiching this scene in Cote d’Ivoire. Assainie-Mafia, you are what screen savers are made of!
Imagine standing parallel on this tiny strip of perfectly-firm silky sand. To your left, you see the translucent teal waves tumbling towards you, their direction, cadence, rhythm and sound dictated by planetary pull, physics and phenomenal Divine prowess. To your right, you see serenity – a sophisticated smooth waltz of water slipping by like it’s out for a Sunday stroll.
My resort was perched atop that spot. A swing was strategically placed at the edge of the beach (what a stroke of genius). Earlier I sat and swayed, my feet dangling above water-sand-water-sand as I vacillated and visioned. On the slice in the middle, lounge chairs now beg this busy bee to just be, to let the coconut juice hydrate and detox all the deets of life … and let it all go.
The beach beckons my toe rings. Little and luxury homes decorate the strip.
I walk towards an old traditional fishing boat, singularly stamping the horizon as a trademark landmark. Faded bold colours rouse my imagination as the tethered boat rocks to the ocean’s tune. Joseph 1:9 is tattooed on its side – adding context, character and circumstances to the scene unfolding in my mind’s eye, easily imagining the many moments with the elements that this inscription inspired and rocked its inhabitants to ease – “God Will Answer”. No doubt.
I pause to feel the sand on my soles, the silky aquamarine water tumbling on my toes. I feel lucky to live life so fully, to see similarities and distinctions across time, people, place and space. Amongst other things, Qatar to Africa is contrasted by the interplay of the built and natural environment – but even underneath the stark differences, atop the grass and greens both share passion for showcasing football. Common ground exists easily when we look out for it. Regardless, seeing rubbish in random spots and streams saddened me when I reminisced about Doha’s manicured and maintained outside.
West Africa has been on my bucket list for a bit, so I exhaled elaborate elegance and inhaled smiles and spirit.
After a day in the capital of Yamoussoukro then beachside at Assinie-Mafia, I spent the time on community service and city sites. Who knew that Cote d’Ivoire reunites? A sweet friend of years ago and other connections new and old helped me tour Abidjan and Sangon Dagbé during my stay. The latter was a private property lot which housed dreams of developing a resort alongside the water’s edge, adding to its current-day soccer school, factory, landing strip and resting grounds for several planes (which was intended to serve as shells for conference rooms of the future).
Who knows what our present will create for our days and dreams ahead. For now, in this very moment, I hold onto the photo of the day, the punctuated picture of that vessel that re-reminds us: the Divine will answer our call.
May we know that when we need there’ll be TLC through the tough seas,
Hallelujah! I believe “God will answer”. He already does so in little miracles if you are fully aware. Thank you Doc!