Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,
I stated once before I have some pretty nice and thoughtful friends who email me some extraordinary and beautiful stuff at times. Today is no difference. Below is a story about life's scars, the unseen as well as the seen, and how Christ’s unending love for us make those scars bearable. The story is entitled The Scars of Life. Thank you M. Know that you are loved by me and by Christ.
For clarity, I took the liberty to flesh out the tale in the area of the story where it was unclear.
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The Scars of Life
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hold behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving
behind his 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 with rifle in hand, saw the drama before him, 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.
Never Judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they got them... Also, it is sooooo important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings on these messages...without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them,
and you love them too...enough not to let them go...
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Evelyn out.
