Tuesday, December 15, 2009

STAND UP

Being a single Mom isn't always easy. One of the most difficult things for me was taking, or not taking my kids on vacations. I was lucky to keep the electric on and food on the table. One summer I had a little extra money and the three of us decided to go on a canoe trip. A state park not too far from our home had a livery where we could rent all the equipment. My daughter and son each brought a friend with them. The "men", I think they were six or seven at the time wanted their own canoe. So we girls set off in ours. The creek bed was dry that year, and was probably only three or maybe four feet deep at the deepest point. The boys were ahead of us and despite my warnings they were moving around in the canoe, laughing and acting like boys. The current was swift, but the water was shallow. We had just begun the eight hour trip when I heard screaming just ahead of us. There in the water were my son and his friend. The canoe was upside down against the bank. My son and his friend were screaming, fearful they would drown. I yelled at them to stand up. He continued thrashing in the water as I neared. Finally, he peered at his friend who was already standing and sputtering. I am reminded of the times in my life when all I had to do was stand up. My faith wasn't strong enough. All I had to do was place my feet on the bottom and push myself up. The Lord was there all the time. Just like my son and his friend. The water was knee deep. All they had to do was stand up. Sometimes our faith is tested and we don't realize all we have to do is stand up.2 Chronicles 20:20 Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld....

6 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Wonderful post, and so true. Thanks, Katt.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Thanks Joy. I read an account about 3 men who had gone duck hunting in the early dawn on an unfamiliar lake. They were suited up in their waders when the boat overturned. In their panic, thinking they were unable to swim with all the gear---they all drowned. The water was about four feet deep. This reminded me of my own story with my son. Which fortunately did not turn out to be a sad story---

Karen Lange said...

Oh my, how many times have we simply needed to just stand up. Good post! Blessings:)

Carol J. Garvin said...

Great post, Katt! Is it human nature to try and make things more difficult than they need to be? Maybe we need to approach life's challenges with more of the simple faith of children. ;)

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Karen, why did it take me so long to figure that out? I think my life would have been easier if I hadn't been such a slow learner!
Blessings my friend

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol, isn't that the truth! You are so right---the faith of a child!
Blessings and hugs to you my friend.
Katt