My twin sister Sharon and I looked forward each summer to school being out and our cousin, Sheila, coming over from Lindsay, OK. to spend a week with our Grandma Akers at Fletcher, OK. Grandma always planned something special for the three of us, such as a train ride to Lawton or a bus ride to Lawton.
This particular summer day Grandma got a break and Daddy was taking us to go swimming in Collier's Pond north of Fletcher. Sharon and I didn't know how to swim, but Sheila did and was going to teach us one at a time.
Sheila led me out into the water while giving me instructions as to how to swim and assured me I couldn't possibly drown. Seeing my Daddy sitting on the grassy bank with his shoes off, just in case we got in trouble, was a reassuring sight.
Then, it happened, as Sheila pushed me out into the water to begin the swimming lesson, I couldn't touch bottom and panicked. Sheila tried desperately to help me, but I fought her in desperation to get my head above water long enough to call for Daddy. I trusted my Daddy completely to rescue us. It was like a tug of war with her trying to help me and me resisting her out of fear of drowning. FINALLY, at long last I was able to push her down just long enough to yell to Daddy for help. I couldn't believe my eyes when he looked away. In shear terror, horror and a broken heart I quickly yelled again. This time Daddy jumped up and dived into the water, quickly swimming out to us, threw his strong loving arms around us and brought us safely to the bank. What if Daddy had not been there? What if we had gone alone without permission? Thankfully, it didn't happen that way. Daddy was there and because of his love we were saved from drowning. He told us that he didn't expect to have to help us, but had taken his shoes off, just in case. I am so thankful for his watchfulness and care.
Every time I think of this experience I am reminded of our Heavenly Father, of His love for us when He saw us 'drowning' in sin and despair and sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sins if we will accept Him as our Saviour and allow Him to rescue us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16