Searching for a Shell, Finding a Doorway. Beach Moments Reminded Me of God’s Bigger Story

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand...” Psalm 139: 17-18

Sometimes, when you think you need something small, God reminds you that you already possess something bigger. 

I stood on the pier taking in the view.

It was sunny and the waves at Pensacola Beach folded into ribbons of translucent greens and blues. Shallow waters beckoned even the timid to step into its liquid delight.

I headed to our rented umbrella and barely glanced at a large wooden cross stuck in the sand, adorned with a purple cloth that was tossing about in the salty breeze. A vendor renting out beach paraphernalia explained that a beach wedding would be occurring at 5 p.m. 

Soon, I was walking the sandy white shoreline, looking for the perfect shell. Nothing specific. I would know it when I saw it. I wanted a keepsake from this Mother’s Day week with my family, and to commemorate my cancer-free year.

I carefully observed the waves pulling back the sand to reveal hidden treasures beneath.

Watching me, my granddaughter, Penny asked, “Lolli, what are you doing?”

I looked up at her and smiled. “I am praising God and asking Him to help me find a perfect shell.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, then paddled off in a different direction.

Penny’s interruption was a God moment.

When my gaze returned to the water and sand, I saw all kinds of shells - small and large, in different colors and shapes. Before, I had been so focused on finding the perfect shell I had looked past them.

Many of the shells looked perfect until I brushed away the sand, revealing their broken edges. Just like in life, people can seem whole on the surface until we look closer.

I began gathering them - as many as I could hold.

I had to chuckle; suddenly, I wanted to take them all home because I realized each one was beautiful in its own way.

With both hands full, I looked across the horizon - the wooden cross stood in stark contrast against the innumerable grains of sugary white sand. The image broadened my perspective from finding the perfect shell, to the beauty of the beach, to the vastness of the Creator.

I was sitting under my umbrella just a few yards away when the wedding started. I have never attended a wedding in a swimsuit. It felt a bit odd. Best wedding ever!

I couldn’t hear, but I watched as the lovely bride and her groom stood in the shadow of the cross and vowed their love and commitment to one another.

Peeking out from behind a paddle board near me, was the vendor who told me about the wedding.

We locked eyes for a moment and sheepishly he said, “I can’t not watch.”

Indeed.

The day will come when every person will be drawn to the cross. The Bible says that every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. ~ Philippians 2:10-11

When He comes back to earth, those who don’t know Him might even say, "I can’t not watch."

It was a full circle moment for me.

I asked God for a small, perfect shell. He redirected my attention to multiple shells, symbolic of His love for everyone - many of whom are broken or battered by storms. ~ Psalm 34:18

He widened my view and reminded me that He is a Big God. If I could count His thoughts, their sum would be more than the grains of sand.

He invited me to a wedding in the shadow of the cross - a reminder that as a believer I am part of a greater love story.

Jesus gave His life for my sins, and because I said, "yes" to Him, I am His bride, and He is the bridegroom. ~ Rev. 19:7

What small thing are you focused on today that may be keeping you from seeing God’s bigger story?

• Ask Him to lift your eyes beyond the "shell" you’re searching for and reveal the vastness of His love for you, His plans, and purposes for your life.

•  Consider the people around you who appear whole on the surface but are quietly carrying brokenness. Ask God to help you see people the way He does - with compassion, grace and that every person is beautiful in His eyes.