Scars

The story goes a little like this--
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving his shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a u-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much to passionate to let go. A farmer happened by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scrarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And on his arms were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scrars. The boy lifted his pant legs and then with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "but look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms too. I have them because my dad wouldn't let go."
You and I are just like that little boy. We have scars too. Not from an alligator, but from a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds are because God has REFUSED to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
Scripture tells us that God loves us. We are his children. He wants to protect us and provide for us in every way, but sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins and if you have the scars of love on your arms--be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. Never judge another person's scars--you don't know how they got them.