Listening at the beach

So I went out to take a walk by the beach today, just before dinner. My plan was to have a discussion with God about the mental prayer list I have. I walked a few blocks west of the base and found a section of the beach that had rocks stretching out into the sea. Huge and powerful waves came rushing in to crash over the rocks, raining down giant drops of foamy-white water. I estimated about how far I could walk out without getting rained on, based on how the water was falling. When I reached the designated spot and looked out towards the sunset, I could only stand in silence. My plan was to talk to God...but I couldn't. Something inside paralyzed me to be still and breathe it all in. Before me stood an ocean full of powerful waves coming to their breaking points just a few feet in front of me. Pelicans were flying this way and that, sometimes gliding slowly, sometimes swiftly dipping straight down into the ocean for their prey. The sun was hiding behind clouds, but the reflection of light manifested itself with streaks of bright, orange-red colors across the horizon. How could I do anything BUT take this in? To think or speak or talk would be like ignoring a beautiful and rare treasure. I was led to pray, but this time, God did all the talking...here is what I heard:
"I am majestic and powerful. See this before you? See the mighty waves crashing down in front of you and the water rushing out from underneath you? This picture right before you is a mere fraction of who I am. Stop. Be still. Explore me, Darla. Explore who I am, what my beauty is like. Think on my creation. Think about the twinkling stars in the night, the glorious rushing of water falls, the variety of creatures in Africa, the huge, snow-peaked mountains. All of this I created-you can never contain me, never fully understand me. For my thoughts are higher than your thoughts, my ways are much higher than your ways. Quit trying to figure out your life, what your future holds. For I knew every day set out for you from the moment you were conceived. Not one of yours has been hidden from me. It's okay to dream, but I want you here right now, to not think ahead just yet. When you do, you tend to worry and that is not what I want for you. For I know the plans I have for you, to give you hope and a future. I have big plans for you, but you have to trust me. Explore me and rest in me for now. Then it will all make sense afterwards. I am going to give you a perspective change, to let you perceive things out of reverent awe of my character. For fear of who I am is the beginning of all wisdom. Stop thinking and simply rest. Don't try to figure out the outcome of the things I am asking you to give up. For I have made everything beautiful in its own time"
The mixture of scripture in there was incredible. I walked away completely awe-struck, knowing exactly what I needed to do. My assignment for now is to explore God, not to come to him with a wish list. Simple as that.