I am not going to tell you the story of this modern-day shipwreck, but google "Ocean Pursuit shipwreck" and you'll find it.  The ship ran aground in March 2020 and has been left to the elements.  This photo, taken April 2021, shows the condition of the vessel - buried under tons of sand.

As I photographed and researched the ship, my thoughts turned to how this happened.  When the vessel ran aground, it was allowed to remain there and drift with the daily tides and ride the storms.  That tendency to drift - instead of intentionally taking action resulted in it being buried.  The same is true in our lives!  When we do not intentionally act, we unintentionally make things worse by burying ourselves. 

I love lighthouses and took so many pictures of Bodie, Ocracoke, and Hatteras.  This day produced child-like glee for me as I was trying to get a sunset with the Hatteras light in it.  Mother Nature did not cooperate with the clouds and I was disappointed.  Then, IT happened - for the first time in my life, I saw the Cape Hatteras light in action.  This photo was my favorite and it got me to thinking.

All my photos were of a structure - nothing wrong with that - but we, far too often, focus on structure.  Yes, that structure (much like the lighthouse) has withstood many storms BUT simply standing is not enough.  The purpose of a lighthouse only becomes clear in the dark.  To you I say this - know your purpose and shine when others need it.