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 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 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,
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.