We saw dolphins, lots and lots of dolphins!

It was an amazing October day at Navarre Beach and one I will never forget. My husband David and I were finally enjoying a very much overdue vacation at Beach House on the Moon, an incredible townhouse overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. We spent many an hour sitting on its deck as well as the sandy shoreline watching the ebb and flow of the water while sea gulls flew overhead.

During the winter months on Navarre Beach, visitors are blessed with being able to watch the sun rise in the east over the magnificent gulf and then at the close of the day, look west to see the sun set behind the distant water’s edge.  All of this beauty can be seen without ever leaving the deck. What an incredible blessing. David and I awoke early every morning to welcome the sun with its mighty glow upon the water and gazed admiringly each evening as it set through colors that warmed the sky.

One morning David and I were watching Louisiana pastor Jesse Duplantis on television and heard him say something intriguing.  He said that God already knows what you need, why don’t you pray for something you want. Well, I’d never really thought of that. I believe in prayer and spend time daily in prayer but usually I am praying for concerns that are close to my heart. I also spend a lot of time giving thanks because God is such a good God and the more I think of the times He has blessed us, the less I worry about my concerns of the day.

So, later that morning as I sat on the deck looking at the wonders of God’s creation I decided to ask for something I wanted. I said, “Lord, I have seen every sunrise and sunset and they were beautiful. But Lord, I really would like to see some dolphins. I know we’ve seen a couple lazily swimming by, but I would really like to see dolphins being dolphins.” So there it was. I kind of laughed at myself thinking of what I had just done but I really wanted to see dolphins and if Jesse can ask for what he wants then I can too. One thing I know about God is His Word says He is no respecter of persons, meaning what He will do for one, He will do for another.

Later that morning I was doing my Bible study from the master bedroom desk. The large window provides a beautiful view of the gulf from the top floor of the beach house. It was so peaceful there, so quiet. Then all of a sudden I hear David yelling my name from the downstairs deck to look at the water. There before our very eyes were 15 to 20 dolphins playing right in front of our beach house. He quickly got the camera and joined me on the top deck. We were so excited pointing at one then the other. There were so many and they were jumping the waves in groups of two and three. At times, they appeared to be playing Follow the Leader swimming and jumping one behind the other.

It was though they were performing for us, just for us. They lingered so long, playing back and forth, that David and I were laughing out loud at the sheer joy they were bringing us. It was so amazing!

As they swam away, David reminded me that this was what I had prayed for. Actually, it was far better than what I had prayed for. I gave thanks to God for giving me what I wanted. But more than that, I thanked Him for showing me in a very real and tangible way how much He loves me. And as a parent delights in giving their children something they really want, He delighted in giving me something I really wanted. I totally believe that to be true.

The next morning as I was sitting on the couch looking out over the water, much to my surprise three, yes three dolphins jumped the incoming wave in unison. I squealed, David shouted, and we rushed to get the camera and head for the deck. As we looked out over the gulf, a pod of dolphins took center stage and gave us a performance we will never forget. God didn’t just show up, He showed out and showed off his beautiful dolphin creations! Oh, the joy He brought me soul!

The revelation that I gained that day both for my prayer life and my relationship with my Heavenly Father is invaluable to me. It’s not so much that I’m going to be spending long hours asking for my “wants,” but I will ask for things dear to me because I know that God cares about those things too. In the Bible, James says in James 4:2, ”…You do not have because you do not ask God.” So, yes, I will be doing some asking. After all, God does answer prayer.

But I think the thing that means the most to me that I discovered that week is that God wants very much to be in relationship with me in a tangible way. He cares about my wants and dreams and He wants to give me the desires of my heart. Most of all, I love the way He loves me!

Scriptures to ponder:

“Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if a son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead: Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13