Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

“HOLD ME! I’m Gonna Drownded!”

By Guest Blogger February 5, 2008 Devotion


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!”.

Going swimming was supposed to be fun.  Not traumatic. But most parents or people who’ve been to public pools have witnessed a similar scene countless times:

Loving Dad, holds trusting , yet fearful almost 4′ tall child.  They are standing in water that’s 3 1/2 feet deep- (see the blue markings for evidence;) The child is screaming, but does not want to get out of the pool.  He’s  afraid- but wants to play. He has a grip that could strangle a boa constrictor, and it’s wrapped around his Father’s neck. The dialogue goes like this:

“I’m afraid I’ll DROWNDED” screams child

“You’re ok, I’ve got you” affirms Dad…

“HOLD ME DADDY!” Screams child. (Father is already holding the child.)

“Do you want to get out?” Asks Dad…

“No..No OUT, I want to swim! HOLD ME!” Screams child.

“I have you” Confirms the Dad.

“I can’t see you!”   Shrieks the child.

“Your eyes are closed, but you can feel me.”  Says the Dad.

The child opens his eyes.  He sees his Father. 

Over the next few minutes the child relaxes.  He even splashes his Dad.  He reaches for a ball in the water.  He asks for a “boat ride.”  Pictures are snapped.

Later-

“Ok- time for dinner big guy”  Calls the Dad.

“NOOOOOOOOOO, I Swim!!!!!” screeches the now- fearless- little man.  A new battle ensues.  Now the trick is to get him OUT of the water….

Cute, when it’s my little guy, not so cute when it’s me.

We’re not talking about a  swimming pool for me, we’re talking about so many of the challenges and struggles that I’ve faced.  When I feel like I’m in deep water— I often scream out the same things to God… “Hold ME!  I’m gonna Drown!”  I flail my arms and try to grasp for safety.

It could be a loss I feel, 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!”

Over and over I’ve been there.  Reaching out- trying so hard to grasp at God to save me.  Only to find that he had me the whole time…

Draw Me Close to You

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.

Just like my little guy- I open my eyes to find he’s already holding me.

I can sing, as I wade in the pool of “stuff” .   Yes- sometimes it’s through tears- and always holding tightly to my fathers neck. Knowing that it is Him who really holds me. 

In His time, a place of fear, turns to a place of joy.

“I’m gonna drownded” turns to

“One more swim!”  Fear turns into courage and trust.

Dear Lord- I love you, I trust you, please remind me that I do! I pray for everyone who reads, 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 already holding them.  I love you Lord- amen!

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7 thoughts on ““HOLD ME! I’m Gonna Drownded!””

  2. Kim

    Tracy, this post was exactly what God wanted for me this morning. Just last night and this morning I have a health issue with my little girl, that has me worried and fretting! Thank you for the wonderful reminder of my Daddy holding me! I am in tears because He is so good!

  6. LynnLynn

    Tracey,

    I always love to read your posts. You crack me up. I giggled through this one and had to read the first part to my husband, we both laughed.

    I loved this.Cute, when it’s my little guy, not so cute when it’s me…. Amen, girl, Amen

    Well done and poignant.