And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. - Genesis 1:20,21
My family just got back from our spring break (formerly Easter break) trip to the island of Kauai. The entire trip was conceived when I was in pain at City of Hope in December. I created a happy place, and it was in Hawaii with my family. Jon told me to get better and we would go, so I got better and started praying and researching the Hawaiian Islands and landed on Kauai.
My number one goal in traveling to Hawaii was to see a humpback whale. I have a whale tail as my screen saver, and I am completely moved by these magnificent giants. The thought of seeing one in person has been a dream of mine for a very long time. My dream was not only to see one, but to see it actually breach and come out of the water. Think big body splash! As I started planning, I soon realized that the week we would be there was the last week of whale season before they have completely migrated. I was not detoured, I just started praying even harder that God would grant this wish of mine. I prayed every day for an entire month.
When we got to Kauai, I immediately went to a tour desk, and was told that the next day would be the best day out at sea due to rain coming. I booked us all on a sunset dinner cruise along the Napali Coast. The captain told us this would be a good trip because the swells would be 1 to 2 feet. Did I mention that I get sea sick really easily?
As we headed out on our four hour trip, we were into the first hour when the Captain alerted us to a whale spouting to the right of the boat. We all ran to the side and saw it spout again and then dive deep showing us a beautiful tail. Not long afterward, we saw another whale spout and a tail. Both were far off in the distance. As we continued on, one of the crew members and I started a conversation. I asked about the whales, and he told me it was not likely we would see very many as they had mostly migrated. I had a moment of doubt, but then I said to God, "I know that you made these massive creatures just to see our eyes light up. I believe that you have brought me here to delight me and give me a gift, and so I will refuse to believe I won't see a whale breach. You are a God who answers prayers."
We journey along the stunning Napali Coast for two hours then turned around and headed back. I was feeling a little peaked, but I kept my eyes on the horizon looking for a spout. Suddenly, the other side of the boat gasped. I ran over in time to see a whale breach right out of the water! It spouted and then dove down showing it's massive tail as it went. God answered my prayer! I sat down and thanked God for letting me see a whale. He is truly a God that loves to give us gifts, and this was a gift. I had a big smile on my face, but I think that God's smile was even bigger because He knew what was going to come next.
The sun was just beginning to set. It was the top of the last hour when someone yelled out they saw a whale. We all rushed to the side of the boat and saw a baby whale breach out of the water. A few seconds later, the mother jumped out and made a big splash. We were all gasping at the site. Then the baby jumped, then the mother jumped, and on it went for almost 15 minutes! Even the crew got their cameras out! It was like the end of a firework show when you just enjoyed a spectacular site, and then they let off a zillion fireworks at the same time and it just blows your mind!
Finally, the Captain said we had to leave because we were running late on getting back. Can you imagine that we had to leave and they were still playing and jumping?! It was crazy! As we pulled away we all looked back. In the glow of the sunset shining down on the water, the mother whale was waving her tail at us! She waved and waved; her tail just flowing back and forth with the sun reflecting off of her. She must have waved at us for over two minutes. I felt like she was waving at me. I cry every time I tell this part. I have no pictures of it, I just have the memory etched in my brain forever. It was truly amazing.
There will always be those who believe in coincidence or luck, but I am telling you God was there in that beautiful moment. He is the giver of gifts. He loves for us to ask, and then gives us more than we can imagine! He can keep a mother and baby whale in the waters of Hawaii just so a group of people can feast their eyes on the wonder of His creation. He honors our prayers. He is a interactive God who likes to thrill us!
I feel sad for those who don't understand the power of prayer, and the character of God. They are missing out on some amazing gifts. It is a humbling moment when you realize that God thinks of you in such an intimate way. In this massive universe, He can bring a simple girl and a whale together for a moment just for the pleasure of seeing her laugh and cry with joy.
Thank You Father for the amazing animals you have created just for our pleasure. You are a creative God! You remind us that your eye is on the sparrow, so there is no doubt that you are watching over us as well.
Mahalo, Sandy
