June 26, 2025

There is a manatee that I see travel down the coastline daily when I'm at the beach; it is quite a sight to see. As it makes its way, people on the beach get excited and take out their phones to photograph and video it, trying to capture a perfect shot of its magnificence. I've made note that it stays as close to the shore as the depth of the water allows, usually in a trench between the beach and a sandbar. That said, I love to float in the Gulf when the temperature is mild. It was high tide, so the water became deep rather quickly when I entered it. As I relaxed and began enjoying the water, I had a fleeting thought about that manatee. Moments later, I noticed a dark creature floating under me; I freaked out and screamed, but I quickly realized it was that manatee. It stopped to try and figure out what I was, then moved on. I know I scared it when I yelled out! If I had let my feet down, it would have touched me! God is good to me, and over the years, He has given me some rather intimate encounters with some of the creatures of His creation. This time was no different. 

Now, remember, I knew there was a possibility I could encounter that manatee and had put that in the back of my mind; that's wisdom, but isn't it funny that God reminded me about it a few minutes before He put it right under me? He gave me fair warning, and I still got a fright. If I had been quiet, it may have stayed a little longer, but screaming caused it to swim away; that's foolishness. The point is that our mouths can destroy what God intended for good. Use your brain and watch your mouth!

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. Proverbs 10:14