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#60 from Harold's file . . .
Scars 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 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. 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. 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 let you go.
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