January 10, 2016
We all have life changing experiences. The question is, do we recognize them? Our Bible lesson in Elk this AM was on Jesus’ baptism. It was a life changing event for Him, as it should be for all of us. We tend to recognize the life changing events for people in the Bible and for those about us in difficult circumstances. What would it be like to have one in our own lives? How would we react to a life changing experience?
Well, we got one this morning, and it was a “baptism” of sorts. One of our habits is to walk on the beach for an hour before going to church in Elk. We had the beach all to ourselves. The tide was in, so there wasn’t as much beach as usual. Ron had already backed over a log and fallen down as he took a picture. We had already quickly stepped up the shore to keep our feet from getting wet. We decided to stand well away from the water and in the sunshine to talk as there wasn’t really room to walk around. The roiling of the water around where the creek enters the sea was fascinating to watch. We weren’t doing anything “stupid”. The regular waves petered out 30 feet from us. The stronger ones were still 15-20 feet from us. AND, we were standing on a big tree/log to keep our feet from getting wet should a wave ever make it that far. We both saw the rogue wave coming and realized that it might even wash over the log a bit. I remember saying something like “keep your balance”. What we didn’t expect was to have the wave throw us off the log and to be immersed in water for 20-30 seconds. (We don’t really know how long it was, but are guessing the time frame as neither of us swallowed a lot of water.)
Here’s Ron’s story: When I opened my eyes I couldn’t see because the hood on my jacket had come down over my eyes. I was floating and hoping my feet could find sand and they did. I was able to briefly get my head above water to get a breath and then went under again. This time when the wave receded and I could look around I saw a wonderful site. Shirley was about 30 feet away and totally soaked, but what a wonderful sight. It was especially good to see her because my right foot was totally pinned under a driftwood log. Greater than 18” in diameter and 25 feet in length, there was no way she was going to move it. Instead she started digging and eventually created a big enough hole for me to get my leg free.
Here’s Shirley’s story: I’ve never been able to swim underwater because I can’t open my eyes and must hold my nose. I remember seeing light up (eyes open!) and seeing logs moving above me. I thought that I should reach up and hold on to one of the logs, but they just kept bumping me. I don’t remember thinking “I can’t breathe!” (no nose holding!) but I do remember thinking that I would like to get above the water to catch a breath. As the water was receding I was able to put my arms around a big stationary log and eventually was able to pull myself up. Ron was nowhere to be seen but as the waters receded I spotted his red jacket and then saw his head come up. I was VERY thankful that another rogue wave did not come as I was digging him out.
We went back to the house, showered, and changed so that we could make it to church in Elk. (There is still a pile of wet, sandy clothes, shoes, etc., on the garage floor that we need to hose out before putting them in the washing machine.) On the way to church we talked about “what on earth?!?!?” God has planned next. When we got to church (late) the regular group was there as well as a visiting couple. They had been expecting us and had predicted that we were having trouble of some kind because we are always either early or on time. We had a wonderful time of praise.
Ron is particularly bruised and scraped. I am beginning to have a few aches and pains. We are going to rest and read this afternoon and assess ourselves again in the morning.
There must be some reason we’re still alive. We also recognized that the truth is that we should be asking each and every morning when we get up, “God, why am I still here? God, what do you have for me today?” Each morning should be a life changing event!
We think our trust has grown and our fears are less because of this day. Please praise with us that we have another morning coming.
God Bless!
Shirley Whitney
A loving adult does more than provide for a child.
A loving adult grows with a child.
That is why the world and the people in it need children.
www.mygrandmatime.com
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