Last Friday, I was at the beach enjoying some sweet time with my grandson. We were laughing and playing in the waves together. I was at peace, the sun was out, and it was pretty close to a perfect day.
Then, I looked over to see an older lady fully dressed deep out in the waves. Her grandson was out far from the shore on a boogie board. And he was caught in a rip current. The lifeguards were not on duty yet. The boy was struggling to stay afloat. You could see his anguish and his flailing arms. He obviously did not know to swim paralell to the shore (or didn't remember in his panic).
It was one of the most desperate and hopeless feelings I ever have felt. There was nothing I could do but pray. I am not a strong enough swimmer to rescue someone. I had no body flotation device. And I had my own six-year-old grandson to think about who can't swim either. Another lady nearby called 911. I felt hepless, and it was awful not being able to do something. I could have gone in and maybe made it out alive, but I don't think so. All I could do was cry out to Jesus, and that's what I did.
I know many of you have been in desperate situations before. Maybe you are in a desperate situation now. Cry out to God for help because He is the way-maker. He is the almighty deliverer, and He loves you.
Then, in a flash a 20-something guy comes running down the beach and dives into the water. He adeptly swims out to the boy and saves him. He pulls him in while the boy is coughing and struggling to breathe. The young man was in shape, and he did not hesitate to risk his own life. He was a true hero. The grandma of the boy hugged him and thanked him. I thanked him too. He was very humble. Right about that time the lifeguards showed up as well and went into the water too.
I tell you this story to remind you that miracles still happen. And I witnessed a miracle that day at the beach. The boy was very close to drowning, and then the young man who saved his life showed up just in the nick of time.
I think that's the way God works sometimes. We can feel like all is lost and there is no hope. We can feel hopeless and helpless. And then in an instant, help shows up just when we think it's almost over. I believe in miracles, and I believe God sends help through situations and people. And I believe God answers prayers too.
Here are two verses about God sending help:
Isaiah 41:10 ESV "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Psalm 34:17 ESV "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
He certainly answered my prayers that day with a guardian angel in the form of a young man. I never saw where that young man went. He disappeared as quickly as he arrived. I said to the grandma of the boy, "I think that was your grandson's guardian angel because he came out of nowhere and where is he now?" She said, "You know what you are right he is a guardian angel. He did come out of nowhere!"
So remember, cry out to God, don't give up, and believe in miracles.
Be Blessed,
AllisonD
