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 behind 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 mother-in the house was looking out the window-saw the two as they got
closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water,
yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy

became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.

It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From
the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the
alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the

two.  The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was
much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her 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 scarred by the
vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where
his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the
son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he

would show him his scars. 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 mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too.  No, not
from an alligator or anything quite so dramatic.  But, the scars of a
painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep
regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.

In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The
Scripture teaches that God loves you. IF YOU HAVE CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE, you
have become a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in
every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming
hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting
to attack.  That's when the tug-o-war begins; and if you have the scars of
His love on your arms be very, very grateful.  He did not -and will not -
let you go.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH - GOD IS WITH YOU