Short Stories

Deep Waters of The Heart

by Debbie Kennedy
11/09/20
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It was windy, a perfect day for a sail. Destiny was familiar with sailing. It was only in the past year that she had taken up the courage to do short sails alone. With her experience, she was now comfortable enough that she could enjoy short rides not too far out from the shoreline. For the past couple of years, Destiny had been praying and pondering over some things. Her time on the ocean caused her to be silent more. In silent times, she was strongly sensing that she needed to take care of some issues of the heart. She glanced down at the bottle sitting on the seat beside her, her right hand controlling the tiller of the small 25 ft. vessel. Her long blond hair, un-banded, blew up in her face and she quickly reached up to brush it from her eyes. Her gaze returned to the sea in front of her.

The puffs of white clouds, resembling cotton could not have been positioned any better against the sharp contrast of the alluring blue sky. This is the day that the Lord had made, I will choose to be glad she whispered to herself. Yes, this would be a day alright, she thought. Gorgeous! It’ s just you and me here Lord. The wind, the clouds, You, me and the sea. Nothing else was needed or felt uncertain now.  She understood her dream had a purpose. Today would be the release.

It did not take much time to sail a couple miles from the sandy shore. She was aware of the tide patterns. That helped her to set her course. Destiny was ready! It would only take a moment to release the bottle, yet a couple year process to get to this point.  It was something deep within that kept trying to express itself, but it took some wait time, praying over and pondering and listening for the Holy Spirit to speak specifically to her heart. Destiny knew that humans were all prone to cling to things and people so tightly.  She deeply understood that her faith in Christ was the only thing that could not be taken from her. The price that was paid for her redemption at the cross was unfathomable and mind blowing – never could she outgive God!

In her alone time with God, through the scriptures, praying, and deeply sensing the Holy Spirits convictions, she sensed she had security issues tied to finances. Baggage from her past. Of course, she had learned to give over the years, but this seemed different- a deeper probe. When her bank account seemed like it had enough, she felt more secure and more apt to give more – but that should not be. The fears and uncertainties of not having enough of anything to meet ANY need could potentially signify an area of distrust in the Lord. The issue of finances needed to be addressed. Unbelief certainly did not please the Lord.  The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out (Proverbs 20:5 NIV)

So often she would consider how neat it would be to send a message in a bottle. The idea that it would be found by a stranger- she loved meeting new people. To entertain the thought of how mysterious it would be to find a message in a bottle was thought provoking.  She had some short dreams but never long enough to play out and form fully. What type of message would she like to write or read?! She pondered that at times.  Yet when the dreams started to press her more and become more repetitive, she had to consider the deeper.  The treasure within her heart was prompting her, beaconing her to rid herself further of earthly attachments. The beautiful words from (Matthew 6: 21 NIV) illuminated in her mind – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Destiny turned the tiller sharply to the right to turn the small vessel back toward the shoreline. She picked up the bottle from beside her and clutched it ever so near her heart.  It no longer pained her to think about letting it go, for she understood the importance of the Lord’s type of giving. Sacrificial.  She silently prayed for the one who would eventually find and receive the bottle with the substantial cash gift along with the sacred words of a recorded blessing found in (Numbers 6: 22-26) “The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

When she finished her prayer, she tossed the bottle into the sea. Destiny watched the bottle bob up and down for a few moments, then lifted her eyes to the heavens.  Sweet peace washed over her entire being- a tidal wave of warmth that blanketed her soul. “Thank You Lord for giving. Forgive me where I have not trusted You with my finances. Your mercy and Your grace continue to captivate me. I do not need to know Lord where this will end up, nor do I need a tax write off, or a pat on the back. This needs to remain unknown to me- secret.  You choose to whom You will bless. Send it where You will. So many are needy, who am I to choose. It is just You and me here,” she whispered. “Just You and me here, Lord, in this moment.” Matthew 6:1 NIV – “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”