Dear Guy at the Beach: You don’t know me. You have seen me before, but you would not recognize me. I have passed you walking on the beach many times in my mind through the years.

I first knew about you as I was walking on Myrtle Beach with my family, maybe ten years ago. All the people on the beach were standing and pointing out toward the water. You were far from the beach on a float, and you were in trouble. You and a friend had gotten out too far and were caught in the waves.

After much effort, your friend was able to battle the tide, and he made it back to shore. You could not overcome the surf. We all watched in horror as the ocean repeatedly swallowed you up and spit you back up to the surface. This churning went on for what seemed like an eternity. At times, you were down for so long, it seemed unimaginable that you could survive. I prayed (I am sure along with so many others on the beach), “Lord, please don’t let this young man die today.” My heart sank every time you did as I stood there helpless to save you, pleading with God to send someone who could.

Rescue personnel were arriving just as a well-toned 60 to 70-year-old surfer ran past us into the water. I can still remember it so vividly. He was tanned, wore a Hawaiian bathing suit, and handled his surfboard with such determination. He reached you in what seemed like a matter of seconds. After an intense struggle, he rescued you that day. We watched as they worked to bring you back to life. Everyone cheered.

I whispered my thank you’s to our awesome God for saving you that day. Standing there on the beach as you were coming back to life, I heard God whisper back to me, “If you see him again on the beach, I want you to tell him that I saved him for a reason. He has a purpose.”

That meeting came a day or so later. I met you walking on the beach with your friends. My heart was racing as you approached. God’s message was right there ready to spring from my lips.

Our eyes met. Then, … I walked right past you without saying a word. Instantly, I regretted it. I started to go chase you down as you continued walking and talking with your friend. But I didn’t. I missed that opportunity. I had missed a divine appointment.

The next days at the beach I searched for you frantically. But I never saw you again.

Through the years, I have replayed our meeting over and over in my mind. I am so sorry that I didn’t talk with you that day. I remember thinking that you had been through a lot and didn’t need someone to preach to you that day. I remember being concerned about what you and your friend would have thought if this weird lady approached you with a divine word from Heaven.

I can’t tell you how deeply I regret not doing it.  I know that God could easily use someone else to relay that message, but he had asked me to do it. I had let him down and I let you down. Some things you just can’t do over. This was one of them.  I have asked for His forgiveness, and I ask for yours.

Maybe some one else had the courage to relay God’s message. Maybe there is some way this letter will find you. I pray you are well, and that God used that experience on the beach that day to change your life. I know it has mine.

Sincerely, Sharon

Every day there are missed opportunities. If we are not paying attention or if we are not being obedient, we will miss divine appointments that God has arranged. I hope to make the most of every opportunity God gives me now because of my regret over those missed in the past. We can’t wallow with guilt or regret, we must use missed experiences as bridges to the future where we take advantage of the circumstances into which God puts us. I strive to look for those opportunities more and to carry through. As my friend, Cindy Brown, says, “Spread the Word, who cares what they think.”

Dear Lord: Thank You for divine appointments, and that someone had the courage to tell me about You all those years ago. Forgive us where we fail You. Forgive me for failing You. I know I do that every day. Please give us boldness. Give us ears to hear Your voice. Give us eyes to see those around us in need, and give us opportunities to share Your love. Thank You for Your great love for us in the form of Your Son Jesus Christ who shed His precious blood so that whoever believes in Him might be saved. May we always have that message ready and waiting for the next appointment. Amen

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Would you like to share how God has arranged a divine appointment for you? Please share your comments, thoughts and experiences with us by replying below.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless us with opportunities and courage to share His love every day.