Father, Never let me go

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided
to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to
dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes,
socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as
he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the
shore. His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and
closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son
as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and
made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his
father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his
little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began
an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger
than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go..
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took
aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived
His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on
his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his
flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he
would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with
obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms. I have great
scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go.'

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not
from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are
unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are
because God has refused to let you go. In the midst of your struggle, He's
been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You
are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every
way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing
what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we
forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's w hen the tug-of-war
begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very
grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. (KJV) Hebrews 13:5, "Let
your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things
as ye have: for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee'."