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January 19 Unexpected RescueJim stared down at the rushing water, his heart seeming to beat twice as fast as the surging current. The swelling surface indicated the ripping undertow that awaited him. He held his breath and loosened his grip on the cold steel, the toes of his tennis shoes creeping towards the end of the narrow ledge. “God,” he shouted, “If you really don’t want me to die, then show me why I should live!” Nothing. The silence confirmed the emptiness he felt in his heart. A wind sent chills down his spine and he glanced from side to side, making sure no one was on the bridge but himself. As always, he was alone. Not even God seemed to be around anymore. Pulling his jacket tightly around his shoulders, Jim ignored the tear that ran down his face. Anything was better than the life he had - even death. He shivered and took a step forward, holding one foot out into oblivion. Just as he started to let himself fall, a cry for help jolted him to attention. He stepped back, his ears listening intently. Scanning the area, his eyes caught sight of a woman along the riverbank, frantically running back and forth, yelling and pointing towards the raging water. Forgetting his reason for being on the wrong side of the bridge railing, Jim suddenly spotted a pink object floating southward. All too quickly, he realized that it was a jacket, wrapped around a young child who was desperately trying to stay afloat. “Help!” The mother’s shout sent Jim’s adrenaline rushing, his mind forgetting all else. Before he could think, he was falling headfirst, his arms stretched out in a dive. The icy water was a shock to his body, and he struggled to bring himself to the surface, gasping for air. “Help me!” The little girl’s cry was stronger than the river’s current and aimed Jim to her helpless form. “Hang on!” he shouted. Turned around, pulled under and dragged along like a rag doll, Jim didn’t know how he was able to grasp the child’s hand. His arms ached, his legs went numb, and his lungs screamed for a rest. He could feel the girl pressed snuggly against his chest as he kicked and groped for land. At last, his hand reached something solid. “Come on, take a deep breath.” Jim patted the little girl’s back as he knelt beside her. He struggled to keep himself from shaking as the cold drove right to his bones. “It’s okay now, you’re going to be fine.” The girl shivered uncontrollably and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It was s-s-so scary,” she managed through tears of fright. “B-b-but you saved me. I thought I was going to-to die.” “Shh, it’s okay.” For what little good it would do, Jim took off his drenched jacket to give the child another layer of protection against the biting wind. “There now, calm down.” He could see the mother running towards them, and only then realized how far downstream they had drifted. As he held the girl close to comfort her, his heart felt as if it would burst. If he had not been on that bridge, this little girl would probably have died, robbing the world of another sweet soul. And if she had not been in the river…he would surely have died. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” His own inner cries reached heavenward. He had asked for a sign - had it taken something as drastic as this for him to see that God wanted him to live? Had it taken the experience of losing himself to save another to understand that he still had worth? Perhaps there was hope after all. Perhaps - “Thank you, oh, thank you!” The mother had reached them and caught her daughter up in a hug. “Oh, my baby, are you okay?” She finally seemed to notice Jim and gave him a tearful smile. “How can I ever thank you? You saved her life.” Jim stared at her in thought, and then shook his head. “I didn’t save your little girl’s life, Ma’am…she saved mine.” Is your life in turmoil? Have you felt abandoned? Worthless? Unworthy? Don't give up. God loves you, and will never stop loving you. Turn to Him now, give your life to Him, and He will give you rest beyond your wildest imagination. January 02 Changed VisionTen blocks and twelve clothing stores after the intention of some quick window-shopping, Kaylee grabbed Sandra’s arm. “Hey, I’m starving. Let’s eat here.” Sandra looked up skeptically to the bar’s neon sign. “You sure?” “Yeah! I hear they have great burgers.” Before Sandra could refuse, Kaylee pulled her into the dimly lit bar and grill. Sandra choked on the cigarette smoke and cringed at the loud music. “I don’t really like this.” “Oh, here’s a table.” Kaylee hadn’t even heard her friend’s words. After the two girls were seated, Sandra ventured several glances around the room. Chills ran down her spine as she saw a man who looked half-dead. She tried to focus on something else, but her eyes came to rest on a woman with tears streaming silently down her face. Sandra desperately looked to the bar, only to see the bartender somehow managing to clean a shot glass while shackles adorned his wrists. “Helloooo…” Kaylee waved a hand in front of Sandra’s face. “What are you eating?” Sandra suddenly realized that the waitress was standing at their table. “Um, I…haven’t decided.” She fumbled with the menu, trying not to notice the chains that hung from the waitress’ shoulders and cascaded onto the floor. “I…I think I need some fresh air.” “Sandra!” Kaylee followed her back out into the sunshine. “What is wrong with you?!” Sandra took several deep breaths to calm herself. “I saw them again…” “The crazy people?” “They’re not crazy! They’re…hurt. Chained. Dead. I don’t know. Didn’t you see them?” Kaylee looked at her friend sympathetically. “No. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. All I wanted was a cheeseburger.” Sandra threw up her arms. “My vision is screwed up and all you can think about is food!” “I think you should talk to Doctor Hughes.” “He’s your shrink!” Kaylee scowled. “He’s a doctor. Maybe he’ll know why you’re seeing things.” “I’m not seeing things. They’re real!” Tears sprang into Sandra’s eyes. “Why won’t anyone believe me? I’ve been seeing these horrible things for three years now. I can’t take it anymore!” Kaylee sighed, showing her impatience. “I tried to tell you it’s that nutty church. This all started after you got involved with that…that Bible study and started talking about God all the time.” She pointed toward the center of town. “Just go to Doctor Hughes and get some meds to clear up whatever it is that’s making you see things.” Sandra felt a whole new wave of sorrow. “But…but I love church…and God too.” “Oh, quit!” Kaylee raised her voice. “Don’t start preaching instead of admitting you have a problem. You always use your religion as some excuse, and I won’t be tricked into it, lest I start seeing weirdoes in handcuffs too!” Sandra shuddered as a heavy chain appeared around Kaylee’s neck. It twisted and writhed until it had enveloped Kaylee’s throat, threatening to choke her to death. “K-K-Kaylee!” New tears surged down Sandra’s cheeks. “This can’t be happening! Don’t let the chains kill you!” “Come on!” Kaylee felt herself over, trying to show Sandra she was in no danger. “I’m fine!” “No you’re not.” Sandra shook her head, and turned to flee, desperate for relief. “Calm down, Sandra.” Pastor John’s deep voice soothed Sandra’s shaking body as he guided her into a chair. “It happened again, didn’t it?” Sandra nodded, and blew her nose. “Yes. But it was worse this time. I saw Kaylee in trouble too.” Pastor John took a seat behind his desk and sighed. “You know why this is happening.” “But…I don’t want to believe it. There can’t be that many condemned people.” “Sandra, you know when you gave your life to Christ that you received new eyes. Your vision is different now. You’re seeing things in a whole new way.” “It hurts,” Sandra sniffed. “I know.” Pastor John nodded. “It’s not supposed to feel good.” “How do I cure myself?” “You can’t.” Pastor John smiled gently. “The only thing you can do is give those suffering souls the Key to ending their sorrow. The Key to unlock those chains that their sins and rejection of the Truth have created.” He rested a hand on his worn Bible. “Give them new vision, Sandra. Help them see God’s love.” |
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