~~ Proverbs 10:2 ~~ Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.
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| Free Source Photo Click to see enlarged version |
As children growing up, playing on the beach next to the ocean was a common practice for us. As carefree kids there was only one rule back then... “Don’t tell Mom we were playing on top of the big rocks near the water!” Like young people anywhere, we would often collect all sorts of riches found on the shore. There were snail shells, pieces of drift wood in the most amazing shapes, rocks of incredibly unique shapes and colors, many variations of sea shells, dried star fish, bits and pieces of gadgets from old fishing boats, and the list goes on.
One of the things that we often collected was a shell called a ‘Sand Dollar’. We liked them because they were sometimes rather large in size and held a shape resembling a disk. Its size was rivalled only by that of a scallop shell. The uses for such a treasure in a child’s world were endless! After we took some home, one of the smaller sized shells might be attached to a string and become a necklace; another might become a place to hold trinkets, and yet another might be painted to become an ornament for a Christmas tree. Once there was one that became an ashtray for my Dad... except Dad never did smoke cigarettes, but he loved it anyway! Sand Dollars, we also thought were pretty, because of the unique star shape in its center. Little did we know, at that time, the treasures hidden within the symbols that this little shell held for us.
There is an old poem that tells a little story about this appealing little sea shell. There are several versions of this poem. The original wording and the true author are unknown. I hope you like it.
The Legend of the Sand Dollar
~Author Unknown ~
There's a pretty little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.
If you examine closely,
You'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman's spear.
On one side the Easter lily,
Its center is the star
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.
The Christmas poinsettia,
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His birthday,
Our happy Christmas tide.
Now break the center open,
And here you will release
The five white doves awaiting
To spread good will and peace.
This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all eternity.
Next time you are walking along a beach collecting treasures, and you find a sand dollar; take one home and place it where you will see it as a reminder of this wonderful story. Tell your kids about the Legend of the Sand Dollar and why it is one of the greatest treasures you will ever find on the beach.
~~ Dear God ~~ Thank You for the symbols that you give us as reminders of the great sacrifice that You gave us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Please let me see this treasure in everything I find as I walk along life’s seashore. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Click this link to read the other known versions of ‘The Legend of the Sand Dollar’
