He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.

Psalm 18:16 NIV

It was a hot day in South Florida. New summer, new swim lessons. It was the routine for years for us Adkins kids. My sister and I had learned to swim the summer before; the lessons ahead would build on what we had learned. I eagerly ran to my class leaving my Mom and siblings at the picnic area. When the teacher gave instructions to jump in the pool and bob up and down, I happily obliged. Immediately, I realized I was in over my head… literally; my learning from the previous year left me along with my confidence. I could not get myself above the water no matter how hard I pushed from the bottom.

I had my eyes open; from under the water, I could see two ladies sitting on the edge of the pool. But they didn’t see me no matter how I struggled to get their attention. They were just out of my reach. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get above the water. Now, I began to panic. I knew my Mom couldn’t see me; she was so far away with my twin brother and sister (age 4) and my baby brother. Her hands were full. And then, as I desperately looked up at the ladies through the water wishing they would notice me, I saw this long arm reach between them and grab me. My Mom, seeing my distress, ran around the large pool through people milling around and with a strong yank (and a baby on her hip), she pulled me up.

We wait eagerly for that which we already know…that you, Almighty God, sent your Son to reach down and yank us up, to rescue us, from a world of brokenness, from our own sin. We are weary, we are blurry-eyed but we are hopeful! We rejoice knowing we are held by You, the One who, because of His great love, gave His Son, Jesus the Christ, for us to truly live now and forever!