Draw me close to you, never let me go I lay it all down, again To hear you say that I'm your friend You are my desire, No one else will do "Cause no one else can take your place To feel the warmth of your embrace Help me find a way, bring me back to you You're all I want, You're all I ever needed You're all I want, Help me know that you are near. I am reminded in worship...that HE is holding ME, not the other way around.
Funny how tough we think we are, wearing our "water wings", showing our muscles. making our "game face", until we hit the water......
The transformation is quick and complete.....we go from "WWF" to "Wah wah wah".
This weekend we went to an "interesting campground" for a few days. It's amazing how the same people who want to kill each other at home- with plenty of space and stuff to do, can get along so well, when thrown into a 25" trailer for a few days.
I'll post more about the whole experience later- for now- let's suffice to say- don't believe every website you read. And- the LAST campsite in Michigan on Memorial Day weekend... yeah, it's that bad.
However, we did take a dip in the pool, where the picture above was taken... (awwww shucks... why, Yes, it was such a HUGE sacrifice to have to hold the camera and not go in the "heated" "refridgerated" is more like it...pool.....I am such a good mom...so selfless- NOT)
How many times have we witnessed this picture- loving Dad, holding trusting , yet fearful almost 4' tall child, standing in water that's 3 1/2 feet deep- (see the blue markings for evidence;) screaming, but not wanting out, afraid- but wanting to play, holding on with a death grip that could strangle a Boa Constrictor?
"I'm afraid I'll DROWNDED" screams child
"You're ok, I've got you" affirms Dad...
"HOLD ME DADDY!" Screams child.
"Do you want to get out?" Asks Dad...
"No..No OUT, I want to swim! HOLD ON TO ME!" Screams child.
Dad grimaces from the fingers digging into neck flesh, but carries on.
Later-
"Ok- time for dinner big guy"
Dad warns-- the now giggling "motorboat rider" on his back...
"NOOOOOOOOOO, I Swim!!!!!" screeches the now- fearless little man.
Cute, when it's my little guy, not so cute when it's me.
We're not talking about a stinky swimming pool here. We're talking about so many of the challenges and struggles that I've faced.
It could be a loss, a fear to confront, a child's future to trust God with... but in the end- I am the same. Arms wrapped around my loving Father's neck- screaming---
"I'm SCARED!" "HOLD ME!" , "I need..."
Luke 12:27
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Replies the Loving Father.
"But it doesn't LOOK like you're holding me-- I feel like I'm gonna drown!" I yell a few minutes later..
Roman's 4:21
"Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. "
Reminds the Loving Father...
Draw Me Close to You
Shout To The Lord
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days,
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My comfort, My shelter
Tower of refuge and strength,
Let every breath,
All that I am,
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
I can sing, as I wade in the pool of "stuff" . sometimes through tears- always holding tightly to my fathers neck. Knowing that it is Him who really holds me.
A place of fear, turns to a place of joy.
"I'm gonna drownded" turns to
"One more swim!"
Am I in one of "those" places at the moment? Not really. Today, my faith is being stretched- as my middle son is in Chicago, on a school trip..... but I trust that God holds him, especially when his dad and I can't. But- truthfully- is it a 10 on the fear factor scale? No. (More like a 3....;)
However, there was a time when friends went to drop off with me, for my oldest son's first overnight camping trip....without us. Somehow- that FELT like a 8. (OK, a 10) Even tough he was safe and with trusted people as well. Funny how- sometimes- when we look back- we can see that the water we thought we'd drown in was 3 feet deep isn't it? ;) That and many other experiences- helped build my trust for today.
It's always easier to see fear turned to joy, after the fact, like the pictures from camping, but- I'm writing them down- so maybe you can see it sooner, and so I'll be reminded of the same, the next time my toes hit the cold water!
Dear Lord- I love you, I trust you, please remind me that I do! I pray for my family-and friends, that they would know and trust the same, that whenever they find themselves in a cold pool, they would wrap their arms around you- and find that you're holding them. I love you Lord- amen!
