September 15, 2024
During spring break week several years ago, I went with my son and his family to Houston for a wedding. After the wedding, we took a little side trip to Waco. I mean, if you are in Texas you have to experience Waco.
We stayed in three different hotels during this trip. My three grandchildren, Blakeley who was 11 at the time, Mattie who was 9, and Camden, 6, were all eager to swim in the hotel pools during a little downtime. The first time they swam was in the hotel near Houston. My daughter-in-law took them while my son and I attended the wedding. She commented on how cold the pool was, but the kids still swam.
I took them twice to the pool while we were staying in Waco. Let me just say the water was FREEZING. I had to laugh because each of them had a different way of getting used to the water. It reminded me of the different ways that we approach trials and hard times in our lives. Maybe I thought about this because I can identify with all three!
First, there was Camden. He would get in the freezing water and then get in the hot tub - over and over and over. He wanted to swim but he needed to “warm up.” What he didn’t think about is the probability of the water being so much colder after you have been in a warm hot tub. I totally identify with this, as I have done this at times during my walk with the Lord. There will be a trial or a hard time in my life. I will be all in and trusting the Lord knowing I am surrounded by his warmth and presence just like Camden felt surrounded by warmth in the hot tub. I will feel like my faith is strong and it cannot be shaken. Then the dark, quiet of night comes. I sense the cold air of fear. It is hard to breathe. I am worried and scared. I start to doubt and feel alone.
This is a horrible feeling to me which I assume would be the same result if I were to swim in a freezing cold pool. I do not enjoy that experience and it is not something I would choose to do. The same feelings come when I start to question, doubt and let my fears take over. I need to mentally talk myself back into the warm arms of my Savior, reminding myself of all the times He has seen me through tough times. I must change my focus from fear to His word that says He loves me and will never leave or forsake me. A verse I can quote is Psalms 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." I don't like freezing water or freezing feelings! When life is full of fear I have to seek the warmth of God's word.
Now Mattie, on the other hand, would just walk right up to that cold pool and jump in. She didn’t even test the water. She just immersed herself into it and it would definitely take her breath away. I don’t know about you, but I have experienced the trials and hard times that just suddenly take you by surprise. They can overwhelm you and affect your entire being. You feel alone. It seems to come as such a surprise that the trial or testing just freezes your entire life.
I assume it is like the feeling of jumping into very cold water. I am not a fan of the surprise and consequences of freezing water. In the same way, I do not enjoy unexpected circumstances. I have to remind myself when life takes unanticipated turns, God is still there. He cares and wants me to trust His wisdom when life changes without warning.
Then there was Blakeley. She would gradually ease herself into the water. Once she was in, she would run back and forth across the pool. I’m sure it was to try and get her blood flowing and warm up. However, I can see myself doing that as well when faced with trials or hard times. I run physically trying to avoid dealing with it. I run mentally thinking about all the ways “I” can fix things. It can be exhausting trying to keep up and think of ways to handle tough situations. I do not like freezing water, nor do I like running around trying to find solutions to problems I was not meant to solve.
The funny thing about all these scenarios is that all three of my grandchildren always ended up in the hot tub. They could stand the cold water for only so long and then they would get right into the warm waters for relief. I don’t know about you, but I think this should be a reminder of the safety, warmth, and security of God.
During hard times I can let my mind and fears take me in and out of trusting God. I can feel totally unprepared and overcome by the coldness of an unexpected situation, and I certainly can run myself ragged in the cold waters trying to think of ways to “fix” my problems. But then there is GOD, the warm embrace of my Savior, the feeling of security, the overwhelming warmth of His presence, peace, and love in my life.
The waters in a pool can be cold, but no matter how cold the waters are in our lives, we can be warmed and comforted by the love of God. Psalms 19:7 says “The plans of the Lord are perfect. They revive our souls." I also think reminding ourselves of this can warm our souls and ease our minds. Jesus can rescue and comfort us from the coldness of this life. We just have to be willing to trust Him and step into the warm waters of His love!
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
