Yesterday morning I went for a walk on the beach, marveling at how awe-inspiring and beautiful God’s creation is. The sun was still rising so the clouds were a little pink, there was a cool breeze, fresh salt air and ocean as far as I could see. The repetitive sound of crashing waves was soothing and, yet, also a reminder of the sea’s power. Occasionally a bird crossed my path or a runner passed by but I was otherwise alone on my walk, reflecting on nature and God. On the way back, more people were arriving on the beach, including sea turtle patrol. I saw the patrol person stop just ahead of me and a couple of people stop with him. When I got there, I realized they were watching a hatchling struggling to swim out to sea. Each time it swam out a few feet a wave would carry it back to shore and the turtle would have to start over.

The patrolman explained the hatchling needed to make it out to the seagrass to eat within the first 24-48 hours to survive, and only about 1 in every 1000 hatchlings make it. The first set of waves were not only taking time, but expending energy for this little turtle. He asked the only one of us standing there in a bathing suit to take the turtle out past the first set of waves and release it into the ocean. We watched as she walked it out up to her waist and let it go. The hatchling swam straight out. We watched him swimming until we could no longer see him. It didn’t take long for him to swim out of sight. This hatchling now has a chance.

Watching a hatchling swim out to sea is a rare occurrence. Most sea turtle nests hatch at night and the hatchlings are gone by morning. They’re tiny and hard to spot. I felt like I was watching a miracle as I watched this tiny turtle swimming out to sea. Miracles happen all around us, and sometimes we get a chance to witness them and sometimes we even get to play a part in them, as a lady who happened to be in the right place at the right time was able to help this hatchling get past the initial waves and start his swim out toward the seagrass. Keep your eyes open for every day miracles and for ways you can participate in them.

Read Psalm 8, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally! 

Annie