Pool

She was standing close to pools edge and bopping the water with one of those Styrofoam noodles, over and over again. As we sat on the back porch, watching Mel clean the pool we all knew it was just a matter of time before she would be in. one way or another. And then before out very eyes! Splash, shoes and shorts and all. This was not the first time she has fallen in and Jennifer calmly said "don't grab her" as I jumped out of my chair, standing immediately to rescue her. "We have been working on this in swimming class and she can do it."

As hard as it was to honor her, I did. And even at the surprise of falling and the shock of the cold water, that little one swam to the side, pulled herself out and accomplished her own skillful rescue, based on impulse and training. We all praised her significantly for her efforts, I took her cold clothes off while mom ran to get a towel. Jennifer was there the moment I had finished and wrapped Catherine (who is almost three) in the towel and then she landed safely in her daddy's arms where she was comforted.

We too stand close to danger's edge, each day unknowingly. There will finally be a time when we too will fall unexpectedly into a situation that we will have to find a way out of or through. Are we ready, have we been trained...will we act on familiar impulse or panic in the chaos? Changes come quick; for accidents will happen, plans will go awry, and unexpected events will emerge. Just stuff, everyday stuff. But we just have to work with what comes our way, and fall back on training that we have acquired along the way to get through the calamities that are sure to come. There will be times someone is standing on the side to rescue us and other times when we have to depend on what we have learned and been trained to do. Sometimes I think God wants to see if I can manage a rescue effort with just the two of us, Him and me, without outside help.

We have all experienced hurts and shocking news or events. Some are minimal, some are life changing. But the one thing that remains constant in our daily draws is that we need to know that Christ is always available to help us no matter what the situation. And we must be prepared and trained in this day for what might happen in the next.

There are three thoughts/words that come to mind regarding training:

1) Be Calm - when we allow panic to overtake our emotions, we forfeit God's peace
Matthew 8:26
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

2) Be Courage - when we allow fear to overtake faith, we forfeit God's power
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

3) Be Confidence - when we allow worry to overtake facts, we forfeit God's provisions
1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

When we remain calm, we will step into God's peace.
When we take hold of courage, God will transfer to us his power.
When we tap into a devoted confidence in Christ, we will see God's provisions.

Life's events and situations are many times unexpected, so we need to be trained in advance, by Christ as to how to handle situations that will ultimately come knocking at our door. If we approach life with His calmness, His courage and His confidence...then even through we may not be able to change the situation Christ will aptly give us His peace, His power and His provisions so that we can persevere through even the toughest of challenges. We need to know how to swim to God's bank of safety is when we fall into something that is over our heads. And then be reassured that when he finally gets us to shore, he will comfort us and let us rest in his loving arms.

Dear Lord, Thank you for walking us through the perils of our daily events. Enable us and equip us as you train us to rest peacefully in your truth, stand firmly in your power, and trust in your faithfulness. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!