Tug-Of-War
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 mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got
closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as
loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to
swim to his mother.
It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the
mother grabbed her 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 mother, but the mother was much too
passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her 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 mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to
the son she 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 mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too.
No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. 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. If you have Christ in your life, you have
become a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.
But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. 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.
Jesus did not -- and will not -- let you go.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no
one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than
all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are
One." 1 John 10:27-30
When passing this item on to others, please include the
following information:
Thank you!
