I got to learn this lesson on a super hot Wednesday afternoon on the day of celebrating Americas Independence Day! A friend and myself hit a pretty easy trail and were just walking around and catching up on one another lives as this was the first time we’d seen each other since I got back to the states. When we come upon the water at the river and my natural instinct is to dip my toes in. Easy enough task, one would think, yet the outcome turned out to be a bit more dramatic.
I’m wearing my well deserved Chaco’s, you know the ones that have traveled me all over the world and have YET to allow me to slip/fall/face-plant.
But today was the day.
I step on rock after rock, slipping and sliding but still maintaining my balance when all of a sudden my entire life flashes before my eyes. I remember having the most coherent thought how is this going to end. It was near some rapids but far enough away that it was safe to walk around but still quite rocky and I landed safe and cozy on a bed of rocks. I had to laugh to keep from crying. A. Other people were around. B. My friend walked over to help pretty easily. C. I was wearing a white shirt that was now covered in dirt.
So I assess my body, making sure theres no red flags screaming at me. The last check being my precious feet (I have a weird obsession with pretty feet and i believe mine fall under the category), and low and behold my FAVORITE TOE is bleeding kinda heavily and it looks like the nail has been pushed up. I wanted to cry — dramatic, I know– All things considered, the outcome was pretty minor to what could have been and the day could continue going as planned so that was a plus.
So I grabbed my friends’ hand and asked her to escort me out of the rocky pit from you know where and assess my now not so perfect toe. We sit down to inspect and the toe refuses to stop bleeding. The nail is black and not ripped at all but the skin is and seemingly under the nail as well. So I deem the injury as minor and we continue with our conversation.
Well as were talking we notice that a woman has decided that she’s going to go down the rapids and hit the swim hole. We never see her come up and out of the water so her boyfriend is looking for her and he walks around and then I hop up and she’s screaming for help as she clings the last rock before the open body of water. I assume, she felt the pull of the water and realized she wouldn’t be able to swim against it in order to get where she wanted to go. So her boyfriend, her knight in shining armor, comes to her rescue. Little does he know that he will soon have the same realization. He grabs her and head straight back, the water is pulling them to the center and isn’t allowing them to swim away as they’re trying. Well then the boyfriend realizes if he just relaxes the water pulls him to safer territory so releases and backstroke all the way back to ground. The girlfriend doesn’t quite catch on so she’s doing all she can to get away and keeps getting pulled under.
So I’m standing at this point and I’m like crap what needs to be done. She’s screaming for help at this point and her boyfriend is standing back on safer ground so another guy runs to help, I shoot up a prayer, and scream direction. I don’t think anyone could hear me over the rushing water but when all else fails, scream,, amirite? He swims out faster than a great white getting to its next dinner. He grabs hold of her and again starts swimming against the water current. Then they’re both screaming for help. I’m like oh my gosh what do we do. So I’m waving my arms and giving gestures. Pointing to the center of the water, pretending to be backstroking, not even knowing if they’re seeing me but offering my aid. As best as I know how.
I know what you’re thinking… Why didn’t you call the police?
Well, ya know neither of us brought our phones and I honestly didn’t know how much the police could actually do in that situation. Was that the best call? Probably not but its what happened.
Well then, they catch on. They stop fighting against the water and they just flow with it and it drops them off onto safer ground. Home free. They made it to a calm environment and are able to catch their breath. The woman stayed in for a bit and the man got out almost immediately and soon realized his girlfriend and their dog had disappeared. She seemed upset and just kinda left, idk? This is only from my perspective and assumption. I was so so relieved that they finally were free and whispered a thank you Lord when they were out of the water and just like that our day continued and life moved on. They both were seemingly fine. The guy that jumped in the second time hurt his ribs and was in some pain but said he was all right and the girl didn’t seem super phased by it but I’m sure she was kinda in shock.
So as I reflect back on the situation I was super grateful that I didn’t have to witness a death or two on the 4th of July that would’ve been……….
Then I realize I do that a lot in my own life. I am constantly trying to swim against what God has intended for good. I feel like I have to put up a fight and i forget in who I have to be centered. Everything outside of Him is chaotic, destroying, life-taking. Everything in Him is peaceful, a bit scary, calm, and intentional. There are also people He places in our lives to come to our aid (friends, family, community) and there are sometimes people in our lives that give up on us and give up on Him. Even though they may, that shouldn’t stop us from doing what is right and good and trusting in His Word along the way. I have been struggling hardcore about being home and feeling pretty useless and wanting to be making money above all else right now. He continues to send reminder after reminder to Trust in His process and I keep saying, “God, you’re just taking too long and I don’t have that kinda time”. Not knowing that His promise is being fulfilled even though I choose not to see it. I take for granted often all the things I do have. My dad has given me a roof over my head while I get back on my feet, I had some money set back for my return home, and I have a family that loves me. I have these things AND SO MUCH MORE to be grateful for. I mean I have traveled around the world for crying out loud. I need to get a grip, and I have learned that from this very unplanned day.
As I walk around with this little limp as my toe heals.. I am reminded that God is Good even when I am not and for that I am incredibly grateful and humbled by. I also know that He is and has always been the calm in the middle of the storm and in His own time He will get me to safer grounds. Isn’t that beautiful? It’s not only true for me but for all of us. What a life! What a God!
Oh, and about my favorite toe. She’s banged up pretty ugly but she’s still my fave and will continue to be. Even if her nail falls off, because at one point I was pretty ugly and nasty looking too and My Father looked at me and cleansed me and continually reminds me that I’m beautiful and loved.
So there’s that. <3
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On a quick side note,
I am only $300 away from meeting my goal of $5,000 total in order to get to Belize to spend a week on the field with F Squad.
If you could help and give in any amount, I would be so incredibly grateful.
Thank You so Much!
