Heartbreak Etched in Sand

I was walking the beach last week and I came across a message etched in the sand that I’m still thinking about. It was one of those messages where at first you smile and say, “That’s nice.” A moment later your heart sinks as you feel the weight of the last half of the note.

To give you a feel for what I experienced, walk with me along the beach. First I noticed “I LOVE” as I approached large, two-foot letters scrawled in the sand. I immediately thought it was a love note written by a couple who had been on the beach. Then I came across “JESUS.” I smiled. “I Love Jesus!” A fellow believer sharing their faith. My joy quickly faded when I read the next word, “PLEASE.” That was followed by “HEAL,” then, “JOHN ❤️”

“I LOVE JESUS PLEASE HEAL JOHN ❤️”

That was the complete sentence written in the sand. I didn’t know quite how to respond. I wanted to talk to the person who wrote the note, but the author of this jarring message was not around. The beach was deserted. I was pleased that this person knows Jesus, that perhaps they know the peace of Christ in this trial. Yet it also reminded me of all the people I’ve known in my more than 60 years who were not healed on this earth.

I did what I have learned to do over all these years when wrestling with trials in life…pray

My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. – Psalm 119:28, NASB