Open Heart Surgery

   When I was a child my summers were defined by how often I could go swimming.  I loved to swim!   We never had a pool of our own but what we did have was a swimming hole.    Always!  There was nothing better than cooling off on a hot summer day in the freezing creek water.  Finding the right spot was a yearly ritual that always ended with a dip in the newly cleared swimming hole.  I have such fond memories of swimming, being nibbled on by curious perch, and picnicking—all wonderful remembrances except for one.…the journey there.   Before we could get to that place of sweet relief, we had to travel through the woods on a road that wasn’t really a road.  It was more like a trail, a treacherous trail.  There were spots along the way that were huge mud holes that would have me fearing that our truck, in which we were all piled, would simply sink to the roof.  There were also stretches of washed out areas that seemed like holes large enough to swallow the truck.  One such place was loving named Open Heart Surgery because that is exactly how it looked.  In my childlike mine we were traversing this dangerous trek that required me to hold my breath, pray silently, and hang on!! (That’s right, I was usually in the bed of the truck, sometimes on the tailgate and I’m not ashamed to say it!!)  Bravery was found in knowing that I could trust my dad to get us through the mud holes and washouts and never leave us stranded.  Because of my trust in him, I eagerly looked forward to what lay just on the “other side”— our much- loved swimming hole. 

   I often relish the memories that were made along the way and consider how like our faith journey were those experiences.  In this fallen world in which we live, there can be joy in the journey!  Sometimes there will be scary places and unpleasant things we must traverse.   Even so, just beyond this life…the sweet relief of Heaven awaits.  Our bravery can be found in the One who has promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.     

Isaiah 43:2