Pink Puddle-Jumper

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”. -Isaiah 40:31

It was a beautiful Texan summer morning. The sun was shining, the air was thick and hot and my children were bounding toward the front door, ready to go swimming. Before we knew it we were at the neighborhood pool, accompanied by friends and a lot of laughter. Three of my four children were happily playing in the pool, they are all confident swimmers. My two year old however, was becoming overly frustrated with her puddle-jumper life jacket. It is bulky, it feels restrictive and most of all, it makes her feel like a baby. She had had enough!

As my neighbor and I sat poolside to watch over our kids, my youngest hopped out of the kiddie pool and intensely informed me that her floats were bugging her and she was going to take them off. I told her she needed to keep them on, they would keep her head above water and help her swim. I tightened them up, she huffed and grumbled but then walked back toward the pool, appearing to heed my instruction and obey. 

However, like a slippery noodle she somehow wriggled her way out of the puddle jumper and proceeded to get into the water all by herself. I do not know how she managed this maneuver so quickly. It all happened in matter of seconds.  When I scanned back over to where she was playing, I saw the most terrifying sight I’d ever seen in my life.  A pink puddle jumper on the side of the pool, no toddler to be found. 

My heart began to pound as I frantically scanned the water. Then I saw her, one little hand waiving from up from out of the water, her head completely submerged under water, little feet rapidly kicking beneath her. In that instant she was drowning.

I praise God that he opened my eyes to see her in that moment, and gave me the speed and strength to grab her up out of the water. She coughed, she choked. She breathed. We all sat there soaked, trembling and tear streaked. That day, I nearly lost my baby. 

This independent little girl reminds me of myself at times. I think I can do this life all by myself, no puddle jumper need. How often do I tell myself that slowing down to spend a moment with the Lord feels restrictive like that puddle jumper? How often do I forget to strap his word firmly around my heart to keep me afloat? 

Wherever you are today do not forget that the Lord of your very soul wants to strengthen you. It is His heart’s desire to keep you afloat, to refresh your mind, to give you peace. As we spend time in the Word we have the ability to harness His strength like a puddle jumper secularly attached around our very being.