It was a beautiful, sunny day. Perfect for a dolphin cruise adventure!

Anthony, Phenixx (our grandson), and I strolled onto the pontoon-style boat and chose our seats.

The boat quickly filled up with other enthusiastic dolphin-seekers carrying binoculars and cameras.

Once everyone was seated, the captain started the boat and the first mate gave us our obligatory safety briefing.

We had barely pushed away from the dock when we spotted the first cluster of bottlenose dolphins in the bay.

Gasps of ohhh’s and ahhh’s came from the passengers as we watched the sleek dolphins breaking the surface of the water then disappearing under it again as they chased fish invisible to us.

People rushed to the sides of the boat to catch a glimpse of the beautiful aquatic display taking place before our eyes.

Everyone except one family.

As I moved to the back of the boat to capture a few unobstructed pictures, I noticed a family of four who hadn’t moved from their seats. They were all glued to their spots and engaged on their phones.

I was baffled.

Why would someone come aboard a dolphin cruise only to sit and play virtual Solitaire or scroll through their social media feed?

Dolphins were easily visible from both sides of our boat yet this family stayed on their phones for the entire 90-minute journey.

I felt sad knowing they were missing out on the incredible experience the rest of us were enjoying.

And then, God handed me a mirror and invited me to reflect.

I wondered how many beautiful moments in my everyday life I have missed because I’ve been hyper-focused on the wrong thing?

How many times have I overlooked the goodness of God in my world because I was staring at a temporary distraction?

How often have I neglected to notice the small blessings that are all around me?

When it all comes down to it, I have been just as guilty of missing the good things that God brings my way on a daily basis.

And so, as I gave God His divine mirror back, I quietly prayed:

Father, would You help me be more aware of the countless ways You bless me so often? Let my eyes be open to see You at work in my life and not miss the small things that You do for me every day.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:7 CSB)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!