“It’s a big one,” he said, and I knew just what he meant, feeling the weight in my bones.

And then at 11:30 I was there on the beach, staring at the ocean. A million miles away. Lathered in a ridiculous amount of suntan lotion. My feet in the sand, the sun on my skin. Knowing how nervous they felt, feeling the nerves myself, in a profound sort of way.

I looked toward the sky with yet another prayer. And there it was for me, right there, right above the beach.

That’s a good sign, isn’t it? I thought. The covenant, the promise.

And I began to count the moments, endless as they felt, to the Time of Results, 2:00 pm, an eternity. Miles and miles away.

And then there was this.

What could that mean? This show in the heavens, this divinity above the beach that is Nags Head, North Carolina. Glory. Grace.

A great report, he said in the text. Prayers answered. Good news. Rejoicing.