HIS RESCUING HAND

Several years ago, my son, Dave, our Church Youth Group, and I took a mission trip to San Quintine, Mexico. The entire stay was filled with rewards as we assisted with construction, plumbing, and odd jobs. During the afternoons and evenings we ministered to children and adults in nearby villages. On the way home, we had a chance to swim in the Gulf of Mexico. One of the teenage girls gave me a crash course in body-surfing. Each time a huge wave came in, we flopped on our bellies and floated out with the tide. When we could float no farther, we ran back to shore and did it again. The teenager rode the waves with ease. Every time I tried, I managed to swallow water and came up sputtering. The first thing I would see was the girl's hand reaching out to me, helping me up so I could try it again. That's the way it is in our lives. When the seas of life get wild, we think we can ride them out with all our skills. Instead, we often come up coughing and sputtering. Then we find Jesus' Hand reaching out over and over again to help us up. Thank You, Jesus, for Your helping Hand! [From: When I'm In His Presence, Anita C. Donihue, Christian Art Publishers, Vereeniging, 2002].