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....