Sometimes you have one of those moments where the world is so beautiful it actually takes your breath away.

We spent the end of the Easter weekend at our family bach at Waihi Beach. People who have visited this spot know it’s one of the best kept secrets in NZ – stunning beach, a sense of being completely cut off from the bustle of the big city; but with fabulous food and coffee options and great broadband access. It’s our favourite place to be. Usually over the summer we head down as many weekends as possible but with so many things going on back in Auckland we hadn’t been there since mid-January. The teenagers over from the UK came with us to get a much-needed dose of the last of the hot weather before autumn truly sets in.

I decided to go and sit on the beach by myself for an hour or so yesterday afternoon as I knew we were heading back home today. It’s a scene and feeling I know so well – warm sand, the roar of the endless surf, the beach deserted apart from the odd person walking their dog.I planned to read a book but I ended up transfixed by the beauty before me. My book was forgotten and I just sat there and marvelled at the perfection of what was before me.

Eventually I went down to the water and stood in the waves for about half an hour,
mesmerised by the view of an ocean that was both constant and ever-changing.The feel of the water, sand and sun was a balm to my spirit and soul, a moment of unexpected  joy and contentment. Just me and God’s creation.