Message in a Bottle!
After many anticipatory years of searching miles of coastline for a message in a bottle, I FINALLY FOUND ONE!
It was a serendipitous moment on our way down Padre Island National Seashore. I spotted a beautiful piece of driftwood. Of course, I said I ‘needed it’ and the thought would not leave me alone. After several more feet on our drive and him asking me twice, if I wanted to turn around to grab it, I concurred. Once we grabbed the wood, I remembered seeing two glass jars, not bottles, but curiosity got the best of me. Shane was easily convinced to continue in the opposite direction to look for the jars. We spend about 99% of our beach time searching for a message in a bottle!
I was eager to get to the jars before the surf relocated them. With childlike faith, I hopped back in the truck and asked him to drive slowly. Thankfully the jars were close. I found the one that looked like a pickle jar, and it was empty. Then I spotted a jar with dried sea grass on it and a couple of barnacles. After staring at it, I spotted something white and something red inside. I grabbed the bottle, jumped with glee, (nearly tinkled my suit), and with a loud proclamation I shouted…. “IT’S A MESSAGE IN THE BOTTLE.” My eyes still sting with tears of joy just recalling that long anticipated moment. The little girl in me was still jumping, the old lady in me hugged the little girl, and we went on our way to find our spot.
It was only 3 days after our 4th anniversary, and we were still celebrating. We found a wonderful spot with a flat clearing in the dunes. The dunes helped to block the wind so we could easily relax for that glorious moment. We opened the bottle! Inside was a slightly discolored white paper rolled tightly then careful sealed with a bright red ribbon along with a 2020 penny.
After reading Army Warrant Officer ‘Mike’s’ message through tears provoked by a story filled with choices that impact countless lives, I contemplated with the Lord – Why THAT message? Why THIS bottle? Why THAT YEAR on the penny? At the end of the letter, he gives permission to copy for hand to hand giving but explicitly denies electronic copies or social media. We will honor his request and the copyrights. I had to share my joy, the impact, and a tiny dream come true of finding a message in the bottle.
I had to contemplate the Penny…2020 impacted the world! For me, 2020 gave me the man of my prayers. 2020 was the number of the Walk to Emmaus at which I served. 2020 is hindsight. 2020 wounded. 2020 grieved. 2020 healed. 2020 was freedom. 2020 was a new perspective on life. 2020 on the penny was how this “old man” signified his message. Was it a “penny for your thoughts?” Was it for his life of choices, memories, and wisdom. I will never know why, but that 2020 penny signified something totally different for me.
Upon final reflection, the message was quite clear. Officer Mike was convicted and compelled to share the love of Jesus in this bottle. Since I know Jesus, I searched for a deeper message. It is our job to follow our calling as Christians to go and make disciples. God has led me to Stark Seminary and I will begin in January. It was my Heavenly Father telling me not to worry about the details, the who-what-when-where-why- and how. HE was simply telling me to obey, share HIS message and trust HIM with the results.
In HIS Love, Rachele