Sisterhood & Sunrise Surprises

She grabbed her towel and book and wondered as she walked to the beach in the dark to meet her friends if she'd share the heaviness on her heart.  Smiling through the pain, she greeted them after a seven-day separation, sat in the sand and watched the sky start to lighten.

A dolphin sighting had been prayed for earlier in the morning and a few minutes later they saw one...then two...then three!  Then a whole school of them were swimming around in the ocean directly in front of them.  The waves danced like music notes and the sea gulls flew around and fearlessly drew near as if they had a story to share too!

A pink and golden glow slowly brightened as they started with a devotional:

FOCUS YOUR ENTIRE BEING on My living Presence.  I am most assuredly with you, enveloping you in My Love and Peace.  While you relax in My Presence, I am molding your mind and cleansing your heart.  I am recreating you into the one I designed you to be.

As you move from stillness into the activities of your day, do not relinquish your attentiveness to Me. If something troubles you, talk it over with Me.  If you get bored with what you are doing, fill your time with prayers and praise.  When someone irritates you, don't let your thoughts linger on that person's faults.  Gently nudge your mind back to Me.  Every moment is precious if you keep your focus on Me.  Any day can be a good day, because My Presence permeates all time.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the Light of Your presence, O Lord.  They rejoice in Your Name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness...  Ps 89:15-16

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us.  For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20

To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy .. Jude 24 (Amen!)


In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your Presence forever.  Ps 41:12



Crack.  A lump formed in her throat..



Then a letter recently written to a (future) husband was read ...

Snap.  A wall fell, she softened and tears welled up in her eyes...



Another devotional "He Still Moves" was shared:

The Verdict
Jesus said [to her], "I also don't judge you guilty.  You may go now, but don't sin anymore."  John 8:11

If you have ever wondered how God reacts when you fail, frame the words [of that verse] and hang them on the wall.  Read them.  Ponder them...
Or better still, take Him with you to your canyon of shame.  Invite Christ to journey with you ... to stand beside you as you retell the events of the darkest nights of your soul.
And then listen.  Listen carefully.  He's speaking ... "I don't judge you guilty."
And watch.  Watch carefully.  He's writing.  He's leaving a message. 
Not in the sand, but on a cross.
Not with His hand, but with His blood.
His message has two words:  Not guilty.


Pop.  The tears flowed, chains fell off and she bowed her head as the harbored emotions came to the surface..

Instantly surrounded with the love of Christ and encouraging words, she explained struggles and restlessness ..

She knew on her way to the beach she had to bring it into the light.  And obeyed!  She confessed and didn't stop there.  Despised from being apart from God's will in any way, she committed to take the steps to return to her safe place.  Her first Love.  She passionately desired to once again, sell out to Him...

A beautiful thing!  Healing had begun.  Her tears turned to big smiles and laughter...especially when a huge surfer eased by on top of his surfboard and they mistook him for a second as a huge dolphin... Her friends rejoiced with her with thankfulness for God's unfailing mercies, compassion, forgiveness...and unconditional, perfect love.

The sun rose, prayers were said, and they went about their day!

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."

John 10:27-28