Shells at Sunrise!

We recently returned from Sanibel Island—the shell capital of the world—and for once, I became a morning person.

Well… almost.

We planned our day around the tide table, which meant we had to be on the beach by 6:30 a.m. That required a 5:45 alarm. Anyone who knows me understands this is no small sacrifice. I am not a morning person. The very first thing I reached for was a cup of coffee.

Even that barely helped.

When we stepped onto the sand, I felt like I was trudging through it in slow motion. My eyes were still half-closed. My brain hadn’t fully engaged. But then I saw them.

Shells.

So. Many. Shells.

Each wave rolled in like a gift basket from heaven, depositing a fresh batch of treasures at our feet. I couldn’t bend down fast enough. Banded tulips. Lightning whelks. A perfect lace murex. True tulips. Every few steps brought another surprise.

Suddenly, I wasn’t tired anymore.

For nearly two hours we combed the shoreline, but it felt like two minutes. The sun rose and began to glisten across the water like scattered diamonds. Our bucket grew heavier with every find, and my heart grew lighter. There is something about discovering hidden beauty that makes you feel fully awake—fully alive.

We left with a bucket full of seashells and a song in our hearts.

And of course, we celebrated properly—with a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts. Because that’s what shellers do.

Sanibel is only two hours from our home. We looked at each other and wondered why we hadn’t made this a monthly pilgrimage before. Some places refill your soul in ways you didn’t even realize you were empty.

Next time, I’ll bring a thermos of coffee so I can sip it while watching the tide roll in.

But here’s what lingered with me long after the sand was shaken from our sandals:

I was willing to wake up early—very early—for something I love.

Passion has a way of pulling us out of bed.

Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You.” Other translations say, “Early will I seek You.”

What if we chased after the Lord with the same anticipation we bring to the shoreline at low tide?

What if we expected treasure with every wave of His Word? What if we believed that something beautiful was waiting for us—if only we would show up?

The shells were always there.

We just had to rise early enough to find them.

Thought: What is something you’re so passionate about that you would rise early for? And how might God be inviting you to seek Him with that same eagerness?

Joyfully His,

Connie

P.S. Feel free to grab the photo with the quote from my book Coffee Lover's Devotional! Enjoy!

#shelling #beachcombing #Sanibel #SWflorida #passion #coffeelovers