Smells, Sights and Surf - And Searching For?

Here I am, walking along the rocky coast of the South Pacific, Copacabana, eastern Australia, to be precise. The surf beckons and draws as great waves roll in from the vast ocean and break against the giant boulders that have fallen and lie at the foot of parent cliffs. The morning light has crept along and up the distant horizon and the sun shines on the seething, turquoise-blue water. I’m transfixed, staring at this rare sight (for me) of breath-taking, oceanic beauty.

Muffin however, is only interested in one thing: smells. He’s a beagle (cum spaniel) and this morning he’s found a treasure in the local surf club. O dear, where is he? I run over the dunes calling for him and one of the attendants there points to their communal eating place and I find him with his nose in a discarded paper carton (a common occurence). Sorry, Muffin, it’s the lead from now on.

You see, we’re looking for different things. For me it’s the sounds, the sights, the colours, the panorama of clouds, the looks and smells of the Pacific, maybe a sighting of dolphins or perhaps even a shark. For Muffin, it’s the leftovers and anything tasty that’s been washed up on the tide. 

Such is life. We’re all on this earth and we’re  each looking for different things - and what we look for is often what we find. 

People, people to use or to make money from, people to have sex with, people to entertain or be entertained by, people for company … people, people. Or wait, am I looking for people - to love - the Jesus way, that is. I’ll find them alright. 

O dear, I’ve just found out. Muffins aren’t allowed here – not on this part of the beach. There’s a sign up and I just didn’t notice - probably because I was engrossed with the sheer magnificence of the rocky coastline before me. Anyway, no fine this time. I know what I’m looking for now; staring at this wide, wide ocean has got me thinking – not like Muffin. His beagle instincts have already told him. Muffins always know what they want!