I walked out onto the sand, closer and closer to the waves brushing gently up against the shore. My heart and mind heavy, I sank down on a bank that had been washed away making it just the right height for my feet to land on the wet sand and surf below. The sun’s colors danced on one horizon as the moon dipped away on the other. It wasn’t quite morning, and yet it wasn’t still night. The place between the two felt exclusive; a quiet space held just for me, no people out walking. I could feel the crisp salt air as it landed on my skin. The sounds of the sea and of the birds a balm to my weary soul. A solitary crane made it’s way to me, solemnly standing guard as I watched the dawn take shape and the night disappear.

I have always loved the ocean. There is something so wild, so mysterious about the blue water. Looking out over the expanse makes me feel small. Seeing the peak of the waves as they roll toward shore affirms my belief of a loving God so vast and mysterious himself I can’t possibly know all there is to know about him – and yet somehow that knowledge comforts me. I look around and exhale; a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I smile, knowing he made all this for me to enjoy.

The sun struggling to the surface, I feel the sand under me. I burrow my toes deeper into the gritty wetness as my hands automatically reach for some beside me sifting the fine granules through my palm onto my fingers, watching them fall softly through making a small mound below. And yet it looks as if it belongs. Not out of place. My eyes wander across surface of the sand and I notice many small mounds where perhaps others had sat and contemplated the waves as they too, sifted the sand.

There I sat mulling over life as first rays of the sun appeared over the horizon making the already beautiful blue sky radiant with pink, orange, soft purple and some deep red. I felt the knots in my shoulders unfurl, my hips and back relax as the day began. I breathed deep the salty air and exhaled a lifetime of weight my mind was too busy to notice it carried. As my eyes wandered over the water, to a frolicking dolphin, a rushed and hurried egret picking small crabs, the lazy stroll of the crane as it meandered to and fro in front of me; I became aware of the sound of the waves as they crashed upon the shore.

It had been a while since I had heard the sound of my father’s voice. Not because I wasn’t close to him, but because I had let the heartache and disappointment of life gather and speak louder than his promises. I had looked for confirmation of what I was feeling more than I looked for his gentle hand to guide me through them. Needless to say, I had grown weary of wallowing and wanted a way forward. Yes, a way to make sense of things; but also to put it in its place and have peace. I needed my father’s voice to override my willy nilly emotions and speak calm into my mind and remind my heart that I am loved by him.

The waves, once lapping lazily upon the sand were now rolling in and crashing onto the sand carrying small crab, shells, pieces of seaweed and reed from faraway. The water depositing its riches upon the soil then retreating back out to gather another bounty of treasures for the wayfaring stranger to pick through. I closed my eyes, hearing the roar; I could almost tell when the waves would crash and the water kiss the shore. I could feel the warmth of the rays of the first morning light on my face, smell the salt air and taste its brininess on my lips. In my spirit to him I said, “I wish I could hear you again”. “I miss you”.

And just like that he was there, beside me. Reminding me that I am loved. Bringing to mind scripture after scripture; defining for me the sound of his voice so I won’t ever forget. Ezekiel 1:24 says his voice sounds like the roar of mighty waves, Ezekiel 43:2 describes his voice like the sound of many waters, Revelation 1:15 and Revelation 19:6 describe it similarly. I closed my eyes reveling in the strength of his voice; the sound washing over me. My heart became full again with his love, surrounded by his perfect peace; the lies of the past few years diminished in his presence.

I sat there, eyes closed tears streaming; the sounds of the world He created soothing my heartache and disappointment. Washing away the lies replacing it with his truth. Bringing to mind His promises for me. His voice roaring with strength and power, yet felt as warm as the kiss of the sun on my face, as soft as the sand between my toes. No fear, no condemnation, no admonishment for letting the world get the better of me, just love – unmitigated. Wrapped around me, filling me once again.

Copyright©2026 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press).  All Rights Reserved