The first morning on a getaway with family I didn’t get the gate code to enter the beach that morning. I like to walk on the beach, pray, meditate, collect shells early in the morning. I like to listen to God. Well, that evening my sister in law asked me if I went to the beach that morning. I said, “No. I didn’t have the code.” She said, “Oh no! I forgot to give it to you.” I said, “I forgot to ask. But I went for a walk to take photos of the beach condos.”

The next morning, I had the code and I was ready to go for my walk but, I hesitated. Suddenly, I had fear of going alone. I quickly thought, “That doesn’t make sense. I always go alone. This is irrational fear.” I slipped on my slides and grabbed my sweater. It was a chilly morning.

Once I arrived I began to walk and to my left I saw a neat arrangement of seashells in a pallet of black, charcoal gray and gray shells. They were just there and I knew someone had left them there. I hesitated but then I picked them up. I kept walking towards the water but shells were everywhere and I couldn’t concentrate on my meditation. I kept picking up shells. I knew I should have brought my tote. I then said, “God, I am trying to be still but I keep seeing shells. Talk to me. I am going to be still.” I heard, “I am talking to you now. While you are moving.” I didn’t get it and I decided to continue taking photos of the sunrise and gathering shells.

When I got back to the condo and pulled out my notebook, it came to me. “Use the gate code.” When God gives you the gate code use it! On the other side something has been prepared for you by someone else. Take it. There will be some things laid out for you and there will be some things you will have to sift and search through. An arrangement of shells were waiting for me. Then there were shells laid before me that I had to sift and sort. I also was searching for a whole shell.

What if I didn’t go because of fear? I wouldn’t have received the message that was much bigger than shells. God wants me to tell you there are many gates and many codes. What you desire is on the other side. It really, truly is! Use the code. Use the gifts. Use the wisdom. Use the knowledge. Use the intuition. Use the Holy Spirit. Use the code. Go through the gate (s)!

~Nikki