A Sand Dollar Prayer

A Sand Dollar Prayer

The day after Christmas, it’s our tradition to go to Whitney Beach. Today was perfect—73 degrees, no humidity, and hardly any people. It was low tide, the ideal time to collect shells. Not a cloud in the sky. The water was clear as glass. No waves. I fully expected to find hundreds of sand dollars.

There were none to be found.

It’s been a problem since our bout with three hurricanes in one month—Debby, Helene, and Milton. They forever changed the landscape of the beach and the water. Some say the sandbar shifted, and with it the shell population. Sand dollars live in colonies, and I guess they found a more stable home.

After two hours of combing the beach, I was ready to give up. That’s when I prayed my warrior prayer: “God, show me Your greatness and deliver me a sand dollar!”

 If I’m honest, my tone was almost demanding. As soon as the words left my mouth, a sand dollar appeared in the seaweed—right in front of me. Just like that. Immediately. It was a baby sand dollar, but I hadn’t specified the size.

Smiling toward heaven, I whispered, "Thank you, God.”

I wish I could tell you that was the first time I’ve prayed that prayer, but it wasn’t. I only pray it in moments of desperation, and never lightly. When I pray that boldly—in faith believing—I mean business.

You're probably thinking. It’s just a sand dollar. No, it’s not.

We live in a resort town; I can buy sand dollars. They’re everywhere. This had nothing to do with a shell and everything to do with my faith in God.

We lost a dear, sweet baby girl—Coco—only five years old. When she was dying, I prayed with that same bold faith, believing God would perform a miracle and heal her. I believed it with all my heart.

God healed her—but not on this earth.

That tiny white sand dollar was a gift. God didn't step off the throne. He is still King of kings and Lord of lords. His ways are not our ways. We can’t always understand with our human minds, but our hearts can bend to hear His truth. He is sovereign.

I trust Him—even when I don’t understand.

The beautiful, white, perfect sand dollar now sits on my kitchen windowsill—whole and unbroken. It will remain there as a reminder of God’s greatness.

He answered my prayer.

Joyfully His, Connie

#BoldPrayers #AnsweredPrayer #GodIsFaithful #HopeInGod