Monster Wave

I remember the day vividly. My family had gone on a vacation to the beach. I was just a small child, but I loved the water. I gazed upon those waves with great excitement and anticipation.

Of course, I was not allowed to approach the ocean without holding my father's hand. I kept straining and tugging him closer and closer. I wanted to feel the warm water on my feet. Once we reached the surf's edge, the foaming bubbles closed around my ankles and then I felt the sand move beneath my feet as the tide rushed back out again. I giggled and ran forward as far as I could, focusing my attention on the next wave as it crested and began to curl over and rush toward me. I succeeded in pulling my daddy close enough that the water rose up around my knees this time. How I longed to float in the water and ride the waves to shore, so on I struggled. My father finally gave in and allowed me to drag him out to where the water reached my waist. The sand boiled beneath my toes and and the ocean spray misted my face. I was in my own little heaven. "If only daddy would let go of me," I thought, "my joy would be complete."

Then I saw it, rising higher and higher as it approached the shore, a monster wave, much larger than the ones before it. My excitement grew as I watched it grow until it towered over me. "Wow, I'm really gonna get wet this time!" I shouted above the roar it made as it came crashing down just inches in front of me. My mouth, still open from my gleeful cry, was now filled with sand and water. My feet were swept out from under me and I felt crushed beneath the weight of the wave's fury. A stab of pain went through my arm as it's force tried to break my father's grip on my hand. Though I was shaken and rolled like a rag doll, my father's grip was firm. As the water began to retreat once more, I struggled to find my footing. I couldn't see for the sand and salt in my eyes and found it impossible to catch my breath for the same reason. Sputtering and choking, I stumbled to my feet and began to wipe my face. Just as I started to take a breath, I was hurled sideways as another wave slammed into me. Back on my knees I went and the wave pushed me several feet, grinding my knees into the sharp shells and sand. The wave lashed at my face and filled my lungs and eyes with more salt water. I found myself thinking I was going to die. I became vaguely aware that daddy still had a grip on me but I was buried in the water. Wave after wave rolled over me until my lungs burned and screamed for air. The thought raced through my mind, "Daddy, don't you care that I'm drowning?"

Finally, after an eternity, I felt him lift me up above the water and put me on his shoulders. He carried me up to my beach towel and deposited me upon it. I sat there wheezing and choking for a long while. My daddy had saved my life, I was sure of it. But still I wondered why he had left me to the mercy of the cruel waves for so long before he acted in my behalf. I never questioned my father about the incident. But, as I look back on it, I realize I learned some valuable lessons that day and gained a great amount of respect for the ocean and its power. I still liked to play in the waves, but now I was happy to hold daddy's hand. I no longer wanted him to let go of me and I approached the ocean with great caution.

That experience reminds me so much of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I pull against His restraint and want to run ahead. But then that hard wave hits, knocking me to the ground. I am aware that God still holds my hand and yet I feel like I am drowning. Life is hard, and sometimes God does allow the waves to crash down upon my head. When He does, I cry out, "Why God, why?"

I remember a story in the Bible. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat when suddenly a violent storm encircled them. The disciples were fishermen and very familiar with storms, but this one surpassed any they had known. They struggled valiantly to keep their boat afloat but when they realized they were losing the battle they inquired about Jesus. Where was He? They began to search the ship and found Him peacefully sleeping. The disciples were hurt and indignant. How could He sleep while they fought for their lives? They awoke Him and questioned, "Don't you care if we perish?"

What a foolish thing for them ask. Jesus had left heaven and traveled the vast expanse of space for them. He had given up His throne and become a man to live a life of hardship and to die for their sins and yet they had the nerve to question if He cared about their life.

Jesus raised His hand and said, "Peace be still." The winds ceased and the water took on the appearance of glass. Then Jesus turned to the disciples and asked, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)

I don't always understand why things are going the way they are. Sometimes I get fearful and even angry and ask the same foolish question that the disciples did. But then I look back on how God has led me in the past. I remember all the times He has carried me safely through turbulent and frightful times and my faith is strengthened. I must beg God's forgiveness for my lack of faith.

When hard times come and before we struggle in our own strength, let's seek Jesus first. Instead of questioning His love for us, lets ask Him for wisdom and strength to meet the trial. Lets lean on Him in faith and experience the deliverance of our God.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior:"
(Isa 41:10; Isa 43:3)

Bonnie Morsette~01/05/2010