Some are self-promoted, but many come out of nowhere.
You think all is well and then something hits you like a ton of bricks.
These challenges help make us who we are.
They form memories that are with us forever.
Many are forgotten consciously.
But in your subconscious, they are always there.
As new challenges approach and consume you,
You rely on these memories to help you thru them.
When I was about 10 years old, I went on a school field trip.
It was to the Indiana State Dunes, a state park on Lake Michigan.
I was swimming with a group when I got separated from them.
Soon I was a couple hundred yards out in the lake.
I had been caught in a rip tide and was scared beyond belief.
Although I could see the shore, my friends and the lifeguard,
They did not see me or hear my screams for help.
It was then I realized that if I were live, I had to do it on my own.
I started to swim towards the shore and realized I was getting nowhere.
For some reason I tried swimming at an angle to the shore.
After several minutes I could tell I was making head way.
So, I continued this motion for what seemed like hours.
Often times I would have to stop and rest,
Only to realize I was losing valuable distance from the shore,
As the tide continued to carry me out when I stopped.
After at least forty-five minutes I finally reached the beach.
I was exhausted and started to vomit.
I was so exhausted I didn’t initially realize
I was over a half mile from the group on the beach.
So, even though I was totally exhausted,
I still had a long walk back to the party where I started.
When I arrived no one even recognized I had been missing,
Except for the counselor who was our chaperon.
“She said where have you been?” In a somewhat angry tone.
“You know you are supposed to stay with the group.”
I looked at her and said…”I lost my jacket and was looking for it.”
I was too scared to tell her I almost drowned.
She said, “Did you find it?”
I said, “No, I suppose it is gone for good.”
She said, “OK then gather up your lunch sack it is time to eat.”
I was too exhausted to think of eating and still had
The breath of sickness in my throat and nose.
That memory has always been with me since.
And years later it helped save my life again.
About four years ago I was scuba diving off Boca Raton.
I have all my own equipment but had rented air tanks.
My own tanks I knew very well.
I knew the limits of their abilities as I was comfortable with them.
When you scuba dive, confidence in your equipment is paramount.
As my air gauge reached the yellow mark, I knew it was time to surface.
However, with my own tanks I knew I had a little time left.
As the needle approached the red line, I knew it was time to surface.
I was in about forty-five feet of water and was spear fishing.
Just as I was about to begin my ascent a grouper showed itself.
I took the shot, missed and my spear wedged in the coral.
I struggled to get it free, when my air tank began to lose pressure.
I left the spear, began to surface and ran out of air at just that very second.
I had at least forty feet to go with no air. I panicked.
I forgot to drop my weight belt as trained
And so it took even longer to surface.
At about fifteen feet to go my lungs felt like they would explode
And my head was pounding. I almost gave up.
But I continued to stare and concentrate as best I could on the surface.
Fortunately, it was a bright sunny day and I could see the Sun
As it shined thru the bluish green water, I never let my eyes off of it.
Because I knew that light meant life...my life.
With one last thrust of my arms and legs I finally broke the surface.
I remember the feeling of taking that initial breath, that gulp of life.
I laid on the surface for several minutes catching my breath.
The whole time looking at that bright Sun
And thanking it for saving my life.
For without those beams of sunlight, I would have surely perished.
That night I said deep prayers of respect and thanks to The Lord.
For I know it was His Light that was with me that day.
It showed me the way & encouraged me to not give up.
She said, “OK then gather up your lunch sack it is time to eat.”
I was too exhausted to think of eating and still had
The breath of sickness in my throat and nose.
That memory has always been with me since.
And years later it helped save my life again.
About four years ago I was scuba diving off Boca Raton.
I have all my own equipment but had rented air tanks.
My own tanks I knew very well.
I knew the limits of their abilities as I was comfortable with them.
When you scuba dive, confidence in your equipment is paramount.
As my air gauge reached the yellow mark, I knew it was time to surface.
However, with my own tanks I knew I had a little time left.
As the needle approached the red line, I knew it was time to surface.
I was in about forty-five feet of water and was spear fishing.
Just as I was about to begin my ascent a grouper showed itself.
I took the shot, missed and my spear wedged in the coral.
I struggled to get it free, when my air tank began to lose pressure.
I left the spear, began to surface and ran out of air at just that very second.
I had at least forty feet to go with no air. I panicked.
I forgot to drop my weight belt as trained
And so it took even longer to surface.
At about fifteen feet to go my lungs felt like they would explode
And my head was pounding. I almost gave up.
But I continued to stare and concentrate as best I could on the surface.
Fortunately, it was a bright sunny day and I could see the Sun
As it shined thru the bluish green water, I never let my eyes off of it.
Because I knew that light meant life...my life.
With one last thrust of my arms and legs I finally broke the surface.
I remember the feeling of taking that initial breath, that gulp of life.
I laid on the surface for several minutes catching my breath.
The whole time looking at that bright Sun
And thanking it for saving my life.
For without those beams of sunlight, I would have surely perished.
That night I said deep prayers of respect and thanks to The Lord.
For I know it was His Light that was with me that day.
It showed me the way & encouraged me to not give up.
A day of a life challenging experience that will always be with me,
Just like the rip tide of the Indian Dunes.
If you have any such memories, cherish them whether good or bad.
They are meant to form who you are and how you will react
When the next challenges approach and hit you.
Remember The Lord will never place an obstacle in your path,
That cannot be overcome.
In the words of Coach V, "Don't give up...don't ever give up!"
And an old saying I just heard...
Just like the rip tide of the Indian Dunes.
If you have any such memories, cherish them whether good or bad.
They are meant to form who you are and how you will react
When the next challenges approach and hit you.
Remember The Lord will never place an obstacle in your path,
That cannot be overcome.
In the words of Coach V, "Don't give up...don't ever give up!"
And an old saying I just heard...
"It is far easier to climb a mountain and look down,
then to dig under…and look up."
B.A.S. 11/6/08 5:15 AM EST
Have a safe day as you face your challenges.
In His Life Saving Service
Psalm 36 Proverbs 21
B.A.S. 11/6/08 5:15 AM EST
Have a safe day as you face your challenges.
In His Life Saving Service
Psalm 36 Proverbs 21
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