THE SCARS OF LIFE

[cag7800]

I got this today in an e-mail..touched my heart

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 ar ms, 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.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

Never judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else.

Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too- enough to not let them go.

[Guest stevej]

What a wonderful word straight from the heart of God! God's timing on this was perfect..just what this cranky feller needed.

[Natt]

What a great story.

[LightofJesus]

Thank you for sharing such an incredible story, touched my heart indeed!!!

[Donnierae]

Thank you for sharing such an incredible story, touched my heart indeed!!!

Amen! I have often thought of the past and the scars I have from my life. I KNOW today that if God had let go of me I would not be here .. So, many times I was on a path of self destruction and I stumbled till I bled, but my Savior never let go of me. I think of how my life could have been a road traveled without all the ruts and potholes but, I know in my heart that those ruts and potholes made me appreciate all that I have today in KNOWING my Savior. Think about the word Savior,it means just that SAVE-Your SOUL. I truely believe we ourselves and God , sometimes, put ourselves in situations in life to teach us and to be able to say to someone else down the road " I understand". You ever say I understand to someone and you really don't?? There's not too many times I could'nt say I understand. because I"ve been there....Today, I am on disability and living day to day without having fiancial security, BUT I know MY Savior knows. I must rely on HIM to carry me through, He was there when I didn't know it and still clung to me, when I didn't cling to Him!!! Praise God from where all blessing flow!!!

[shazza]

Thank you so much how beautiful.

What a truly gracious Father in Heaven we have.

[SueZQ]

Thank you for sharing this story, wow what blessing!!!