- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,077
Scars of Life
(author unkown)
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida , a little
boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his
house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back
door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into
the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the
lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer
and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling
to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-
turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his
father, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms
just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-
of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the
father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from
his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little
boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack
of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his
father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to
the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the
trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant
legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But
look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them
because my Dad wouldn't let go.'
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars,
too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some
of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But,
some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the
midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of
God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But
sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing
what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and
we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-
war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be
very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
(author unkown)
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida , a little
boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his
house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back
door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into
the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the
lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer
and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling
to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-
turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his
father, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms
just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-
of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the
father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from
his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little
boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack
of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his
father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to
the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the
trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant
legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But
look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them
because my Dad wouldn't let go.'
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars,
too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some
of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But,
some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the
midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of
God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But
sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing
what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and
we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-
war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be
very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
