Going under

He steps into flowing water. At first, the tug of a swift current feels equally matched. With every step he becomes more sure of himself.

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And then without warning- the bottom drops. Where he once could manage to stand he now finds himself flailing. His feet can no longer feel the earth beneath. He slips under.

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Grasping desperately in every direction- he can’t find a way to root himself. Helpless and being carried- he loses every bit of security. In a matter of moments, everything he once knew is blurred.

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In one urgent gasp the confusion becomes fear. His chest is taking on water. He moves his mouth; but there is no sound in the rush of water. Desperate- he cries out with his heart instead. Help me. HELP ME.

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And then, a hand takes hold. All at once he is enveloped; his heaving chest being held out of the water’s rush. Sputtering, his lungs reach for air. The fear slowly turns into tears. And in their release, the wild in his eyes begins to calm.

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He thought he had it. But it had him. The river had him all along.

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In a powerless plight, being pulled up and out of the torrent, we begin to see how fragile we are; how little we control. But in that, we also see the beauty in being rescued. We appreciate the hold of a strong love more than ever.

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Running out of the water, he says:

“I went under! But I was saved!”