Little Things for God

By Mary Wollney

A Gift from the Beach

It’s interesting to know that one little thing can lead to a variety of discussions and raise so many questions.            

Last Saturday morning I went for a walk along the beach. Each day the treasures are different.  This day was unusual because partially buried in the sand was a strand of beads.  It turned out to be rosary beads.  Not your usual beach treasure. 

It was a first for me, and especially meaningful because later that day I was to speak to approximately 1000 people at mass.  It felt to me that God was saying, “I am with you. Take these beads and go forth to tell your story.”

When I spoke at mass I mentioned the treasure I found.  I was a bit surprised by the reactions. One gentleman remarked that he reached for a Kleenex when he heard the story. It seems that for most this find was a sign from God that touched their heart.

Another woman’s reaction was simple. 

Someone else was curious about who lost them. Did they belong to a young child, a teenager, an adult or a grandparent?  No matter who they belonged to, the loss must have left a void.

Another comment left me weak in the knees. A gentleman wondered if the rosary might have belonged to someone who lost their life on their journey to freedom in the United States.  The rosary beads made it, but the individual didn’t. That theory led to a feeling of uneasiness. 

After that conversation I was thrilled to get the perspective of my 10-year-old nephew.  He thought it was “pretty cool” to find a rosary at the beach. He asked me to use them to say a prayer because he had a special role at mass the following day.

What easily could have been overlooked on my early morning beach walk has become a topic of discussion amongst a variety of people.  Who knows where it may lead?  None of us know where the journey began and, we don’t know where it ends.  But, we do know that the journey continues.

As for me and my own speculation, I feel blessed to be the new keeper of the beads. However, I also find that this curious and intriguing gift from the beach carries a sense of responsibility.  The rosary found its way to me.  The question is, ‘Why?’

I think the answer is quite simple.  I think this inexpensive and discolored rosary is an extraordinarily valuable reminder of the power of prayer.  I think it serves as a cue for all of us to remember to pray the rosary. 

Let us begin.   

Copyright (C) 2010 Mary Wollney