Life, Faith, and Saltwater Taffy

By J. B. Hazelton and Jenny Shute

Life, Faith, and Saltwater Taffy combines a playful beach theme and scriptural foundation to bring fresh perspective to vital topics: living in community with others, balancing self-care with service, navigating the inevitable storms of life, and growing in relationship with God. Readers are welcomed as unique and beloved creations and invited to consider what they would carry for a day by the shore, in order to embrace what is life-giving and set down unnecessary burdens. The book culminates with a look at lighthouses and an exploration of how each individual can provide a clear lens for shining God's light brightly into the world. With its conversational tone and relatable anecdotes, you just may close this book feeling as though you have been sitting by the water, having a heart-to-heart with an encouraging friend.

Each chapter includes a thought-provoking quote and a prayer. A Diving Deeper section follows, with suggestions for reflection, gratitude, further reading, and action. Designed for personal reading or group study, Life, Faith, and Saltwater Taffy also makes a wonderful gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Jan 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781666716368

J. B. Hazelton

Raised on Long Island, New York, J. B. Hazelton is now a church musician and teacher in the Pacific Northwest. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in music education with a religion minor from Pacific Lutheran University, and a master of arts for teachers from the University of Washington. J. B.'s delightfully diverse family includes pastors, priests, and a large Jewish contingent. Her favorite place to be is in, on, or near the water.

Book preview

Part I

To the Beach

Chapter 1

Water

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by

John Masefield, Sea Fever, Salt-Water Ballads

Imagine yourself at the beach. Which soundtrack would you choose? Would it be carefree Beach Boys music, or the wistful melody of Shenandoah? Would you choose the ominous theme from Jaws? If so, the ocean may not be your favorite place! There are many types of beaches. For different people, different images may come to mind. Regardless of whether a beach touches a quiet lake, a flowing river, or the restless sea, one thing is for sure—it’s not a beach without water.

Now picture your favorite place outdoors. It could be a beach, or it could be a garden, a field of wheat, a desert, a forest, or the top of a mountain. Imagine you are there. Breathe deeply. What does the air smell like? Feel the warm sun or the chilly wind. Now, in your mind’s eye, look around. If you are picturing a forest or mountain, do you see snow, an alpine lake, or a stream? If you’re picturing a garden or a field, think of how rain nurtures the plants. If your happy place is the desert, water will be harder to find, but it is there, and it is essential.

Life cannot exist without water. Our bodies consist of more water than anything else, and our brains are 80 percent water. Scientists have even found that the mineral content of our blood plasma is very similar to seawater.

Water, in all its varied forms, sustains our physical being, enriches the soul, and speaks powerfully to the heart. What scene could be more carefree than a child flying a kite at the beach on a sunny day? But water can also be frightening. Imagine being on a ship, out of sight of land, tossed about in a fierce storm.

Each of us has had different experiences with water over our lifetime. Those reading this book with a friend or a group will have a chance to share stories, and if we were sitting face to face, I would love to hear yours. Let me share mine:

In many ways, water has defined my life. I like to think my first cry at birth was because I didn’t want to leave my personal prenatal swimming pool. As a young child, I took swim lessons. At the end of one session, we had a race. The whistle blew; I closed my eyes against the chlorinated water and swam as fast as I could . . . diagonally across the pool. That was the beginning—and the end—of my competitive swimming career! However, I continued to enjoy swimming. Unlike running or walking, there was a certain relaxed pace at which I felt I could go on forever.

As a child living on Long Island, New York, I loved being on our family’s cabin cruiser. Some nights we’d just head down to the boat for dinner, picking up a pizza near the marina. Family vacations often meant cruising on Long Island Sound and I loved being rocked to sleep at night by the gentle waves. I also learned to sail, and delighted in listening to every splash and gurgle of the water while partnering with the wind to travel from place to place.

My father, who was middle-aged by the time I was born, had served in the Navy during World War II. Despite some hair-raising experiences as a gunnery officer on a destroyer in the north Atlantic, he still loved the sea. I often heard him quote John Masefield’s poem "Sea Fever." When I was asked to memorize a poem as a homework assignment, I immediately chose that one. I later learned that the expression tall ship, meaning a sailboat with tall masts, originated with this poem.

When our family took a vacation by car, our usual destination was New Hampshire, where my father was raised. We headed straight for the Lakes Region and stayed in a cabin on the shore of a charming lake. I always looked forward to water-skiing in the afternoon, however my fondest memories are of the times my father and I swam in the lake. Dad was a lawyer who often seemed preoccupied with his work, even on vacations. However, when he and I swam out to a small island, he was fully present and we enjoyed each other’s company. Those are memories I treasure.

My mother, despite her North Dakota upbringing, also loves all things nautical. When my family would go to Jones Beach on the South Shore of Long Island, she and I loved to swim in the ocean. As we walked toward the water and waded in, I eyed the breaking waves with excitement and a tinge of nervousness. Once we got through the breakers, we could swim in the gently rolling swells of the Atlantic.

One day, as I was flipping through the pages of a large boating book, a photo of Tillamook Head Lighthouse caught my eye—and my imagination. It was way across the country, off the rocky coast of Oregon, and sat more than a mile offshore on an enormous rock. Although the lighthouse was built 133 feet above the ocean, storms have been known to send breakers over its rocky perch and even toss rocks high enough to shatter the lens. Amazing! I even painted a picture of it, never dreaming I’d have the chance to see it in person.

Now this East Coast girl lives in a suburb of Seattle. One summer, my friend, Jan, invited me down to the charming town of Cannon Beach, Oregon. When I saw Tillamook Head Lighthouse off the coast, I could hardly believe it.

From my home, it’s easy to get to Puget Sound and the waves of the Pacific Ocean are only a few hours away by car. Beautiful lakes are nearby. The very sight of one of them often causes me to take a deep, relaxing breath.

Several summers ago, I tried paddleboarding and realized what an easy, affordable way it was to get out on the water. Now, summer days often find me paddling around a nearby lake, happy as a clam.

I feel most at home and at peace when I am in, on, or near the water, regardless of what state or country the water may be in. Once I was out of town and deeply troubled. I took a walk to a nearby river. As I watched the water flowing along, the words of Jesus came clearly to mind: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). Remembering those words of Jesus, as the river gurgled nearby, brought much-needed calm to my soul.

Lord of creation,

Thank you for water for drinking, cleansing, transportation, relaxation, and recreation.

Thank you for water so fish can swim, crops can grow, and so our bodies can be nourished.

Thank you for water so rivers can flow, waves can splash, waterfalls can roar, and our souls can be nourished. Amen.

Chapter 1—DIVING DEEPER

REFLECT

1.What sort of soundtrack would be appropriate for your own water stories?

2.What memories involving water did this chapter stir up? What feelings are associated with them? How do these memories affect you now?

3.Have you had any experiences involving water that have transcended everyday life and brought you peace or spoke to you of the Creator?

GIVE THANKS

Think about the water you see at home, at work, or on your commute. You may not have a jaw-dropping view, but is there a pond, fountain, or fish tank? Even if your only view is a glass of cool, clear water, pause for a moment to appreciate it.

Consider all the ways water touches your daily life. Does your morning routine include a shower and a hot cup of coffee or tea? Do you enjoy a relaxing evening bath? Do you participate in water aerobics or take your child to swim lessons? Thank God for the water that gives life and health to you.

READ

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty (Ps

93

:

4

).

Exod 14—The Israelites cross the sea to freedom

Matt 8:23–28—Jesus calms the storm and confuses the disciples

Matt 14:22–33—Peter attempts to walk on water

ACT

During one day, or even just half a day, write down every way you interact with water. When you consider your list, what surprises you?

If you like, you can create a mini water feature for your table. Here’s a simple idea: take a clear bowl, fill it with water, and float some candles or flowers in it.

There are many organizations working to provide clean drinking water for people, or to benefit the ocean and its creatures. If you are not already familiar with one, choose one to learn about. If their work appeals to you, consider supporting their efforts—alone or as a group.

Chapter 2

Beach Creatures

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Part of the fun of going down to the water is seeing the variety of life there. This is particularly true at the ocean. You may enjoy picking up shells. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a crab scurrying sideways across the sand. Or you can wander over to a tide pool to observe starfish and sea anemones in a variety of colors.

While the deepest parts of the sea are home to some of the most astonishing creatures on the planet, the more familiar ones are striking, too. Picture a lobster. Imagine the back, looking like a suit of armor, the five sets of legs, and the fan tale. The front legs of an American lobster end in those iconic oversized claws. What color are you picturing? Lobsters can be green, yellow, or even bright blue, but they all turn red when cooked. They can swim forward or backward, and will use their tails to scoot quickly in reverse when frightened. What remarkable creatures!

As a child, I remember seeing horseshoe crabs on the beaches of Long Island. (To be scientifically accurate, they’re actually not classified as crabs, but the name isn’t all wrong—their large shells are, indeed, horseshoe-shaped.) I thought they were creepy-looking, especially with the long, pointy spike they have instead of a tail. Recently, I learned it’s called a telson, and as dangerous as it looks, the purpose is simply to help the critter turn over if a wave flips it onto its back. I guess you could say it carries its own spatula! I wonder if it’s hard to sneak up on a horseshoe crab, because they have nine eyes, plus light receptors. They look prehistoric. Indeed, the species has been around for so long they are considered living fossils. And there is something extraordinary about horseshoe crabs, which you would never guess by looking at their muddy-brown shells. Their blood is sky-blue, and has such strong anti-bacterial properties that a derivative is used to check for contamination in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. These scary-looking creatures actually contribute to saving lives.

From tiny fish to huge whales, birds, jellyfish, and sea lions, there certainly are a wide variety of interesting creatures that can be seen from the beach. And you, my friend, whether you happen to be reading this on the beach or anywhere else, are also a unique creation, handmade by God, in God’s own image. You have gifts, talents, and vulnerabilities others may not have. You are one of a kind, valuable, and loved more than you know.

Ponder for a moment the complexity of the human body. It is truly amazing. All those moving parts! Some of our joints move not only back and forth, but also in