I was at the beach this summer with my family and spent some time watching families build sand castles.  Some were big, some small, some were really amazing.  Mom’s and dad’s would sit very patiently and help their kids dig a moat, add some water to a bucket of sand, and pour it out to begin the process of building.  As I watched, i realized that we no longer built sand castles, my kids were more interested in playing volleyball, getting some sun, or body surfing in the waves.   At some point in the day, i would also watch as each sandcastle got washed away by the tide rolling in.  within a few minutes, nothing was left.  no matter how much time was spent, no matter how fancy or how plain, after a couple of waves, there was literally no evidence that anything had ever been on the beach.

It hit me that while we no longer built sand castles at the beach, i had still had plenty of sand castles that i was working on building.  daily.  only i call them my house, my job, and my reputation.  and one day, those will be washed away.  completely.  totally.  and nothing will remain behind to mark the time, money, and life spent building them.  

Made me wonder what i am “building” that will last.  and what am i “building” that matters?