Thank you so much for sharing how it touched you. I love how you said this—silence. This, too, is how I feel when I ponder it and remember it and as I wrote it. Awed silence.
What a beautiful, impactful memory that you have shared. How the Lord runs after us. His saving grace and never-ending love. There is no way to comprehend the magnitude of His love and mercy but knowing it is to be treasured and shared with His people. The loving arms of Our Father, who gives life, returns life and also takes back His own to share eternity with Him.
How beautifully your summarized this, Mary!!! You are correct! There truly are no words to adequately express the grace and eternal love of the Father. In this we can only say with the Apostle John…the world cannot contain the words…to express the Word! ❤️
Oh, wow!! Incredible testimony. How scary that you came so close to losing your brother and grandson (and daughter!)... my heart was thumping when I read this story, as you described your brother falling into the well! And then he actually even died but came back!! How gracious that God gave back the 2 boys plus your daughter (oh my gosh- reaching out to hold the angels' hands!! amazing!!). What a picture of God's love! (It reminds me also of the Father running to the prodigal son when the son was still a long way off! )
Thank you dear Ada! It was scary! And all these years I never ever realized that my brother had this experience from his side. I was floored! I was trying to express to him how I wished he could have seen our father’s face and how fast he ran! God is amazing! So very much to be thankful for!!! And yes my daughter still talks about that like it was yesterday.
Thank you! I hope so too. I don’t have a lot either. I trust the Lord knows where it needs to go yeah? You’re doing great! How’s the writing going? And the horticulture? Praying you aren’t suffering too much in that excessive heat down there. We are good thanks. A bit smoky but not too bad.
It is definitely hot, but God bless y’all with regard to the fires! Spokane is just heartbreaking. We haven’t had any big ones here yet this year.
I almost did a post today. Almost. I just need to get my head right. I want to be clear and easily understood when I write. I know I probably need to just do it in order to learn, but it’s a little bit intimidating. Honestly, I’m enjoying what all of you amazing people are writing so much! It’s very inspiring and uplifting! Thank you so much for encouraging me to join in, though!
Yes it was difficult. It took me a long time to write this piece. I had to keep setting it down and go back to it and see if everything flowed in the right places. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
I have many similar experiences in my life, but one comes to mind in 4K technicolor.
We were picnicking on the bank of the Columbia river one day, my daughter Natalie was wading and playing in the shallows. I think she was three or four.
My parents were visiting and we we're enjoying the day, and a lot of fun conversation...
...and then my wife's voice...normally beautiful and calming, now urgent in a way I had never heard before. Just two words: "JON GO!"
I look to where my wife is pointing, and see my daughter's eyes...big as pie-plates...the rest of her under water, about 20 yards from the bank. Somehow, while we were talking, we lost track of her. She was just moments from drowning or being swept away in the river's central current.
Thinking about it still makes me cringe. We saw her "just in time."
Now...I'm a good swimmer. But that day, I'm pretty sure I was faster than Michael Phelps at his best. I've never been more motivated in my life...by the love you captured beautifully in the memory of your father.
I got to her...but it was close Gilda...too darn close.
On our way home, after the panic had settled, I learned how special my daughter was.
We were debriefing the situation, asking what we should all do different next time to keep it from happening again. That's when Natalie, without missing a beat, and with plenty of girl-sass, said: "swimming lessons."
That's Natalie. She's 16 now, and she's a terrific swimmer. About a year ago, she was at the lake with friends when a boy fell off the boat. He was a weak swimmer and quickly found himself in trouble. Natalie went in after him, and today they're both doing fine.
In her world, fear is for overcoming.
I can't imagine my world without Natalie. Thank you God! Thank you...
And thank you Gilda. This was a vulnerable and beautiful article. I really loved it. 💙
Yes you’re right. It would have made it too long I think. And if the Lord wanted me to add it in He would have brought it to my mind and heart at the time. Your story should be an article too!! It’s marvelous!
Wow! Thank you so very much for sharing such a powerful story of how God used you and spared your beautiful Natalie. The love of her father rushing in!!! And then how God used her to spare another! Incredible. God is so good!!! I am so moved by your story.
As I was reading this I realized I had completely neglected to add another time God spared a life. It was my youngest daughter; the mother of our grandson I wrote of in this piece!!! How could I not have immediately thought of it? God used your story to remind me! She was about four and we were in FL at a resort on a business trip. I was with all the kids at the pool. My oldest daughter at the time kept whining that I was not playing with her because I was always watching the younger children. She kept pleading with me to do “just one lap with her”to the deep end of the pool. I felt so badly so I finally agreed. I sat the three youngest at the edge of the steps on the low end and explained what was happening and admonished them to wait right there. Don’t move! I had the oldest of them who was around 10 keep a sharp eye on the youngest. We swam as fast as we could, touched the edge of the deep end and flipped back and began swimming back to them. That’s what I saw my youngest daughter’s large pink head bow bobbing up and down in the water. I screamed and swam for all my might. The man in the cabana stand heard me scream. By the time I reached her which couldn’t have been more than seconds, he had jumped over the counter and helped me lift her out of the water. As he turned her onto her side and began banging her back he explained he is also a life guard. Water poured out of her mouth and he began CPR. He then asked her as she came to why she was reaching her arms up as she had both arms straight up. She said I was trying to hold the angel’s hands. Then she looked at me and said Mommy! Did you see them? All happy like she said this. It was horrific and strange all at the same time. She still talks about this. Meanwhile I felt like the worst mother in the universe.
Wow. This was extremely powerful. I just need to think about it now-that’s how it has left me. In silence.
Thank you so much for sharing how it touched you. I love how you said this—silence. This, too, is how I feel when I ponder it and remember it and as I wrote it. Awed silence.
Thank you for sharing. This was very powerful.
You’re so welcome. I love that this touched your heart. Thank you for sharing! 🥰
What a beautiful, impactful memory that you have shared. How the Lord runs after us. His saving grace and never-ending love. There is no way to comprehend the magnitude of His love and mercy but knowing it is to be treasured and shared with His people. The loving arms of Our Father, who gives life, returns life and also takes back His own to share eternity with Him.
How beautifully your summarized this, Mary!!! You are correct! There truly are no words to adequately express the grace and eternal love of the Father. In this we can only say with the Apostle John…the world cannot contain the words…to express the Word! ❤️
Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory.
You’re very welcome. I truly appreciate your gracious encouragement. Thank you for reading and letting it speak to you.
Oh, wow!! Incredible testimony. How scary that you came so close to losing your brother and grandson (and daughter!)... my heart was thumping when I read this story, as you described your brother falling into the well! And then he actually even died but came back!! How gracious that God gave back the 2 boys plus your daughter (oh my gosh- reaching out to hold the angels' hands!! amazing!!). What a picture of God's love! (It reminds me also of the Father running to the prodigal son when the son was still a long way off! )
And oh…I love how you mentioned the Father running when He sees the prodigal a long way off…yes! I see the same determined, fierce look and run.
Thank you dear Ada! It was scary! And all these years I never ever realized that my brother had this experience from his side. I was floored! I was trying to express to him how I wished he could have seen our father’s face and how fast he ran! God is amazing! So very much to be thankful for!!! And yes my daughter still talks about that like it was yesterday.
Oh my goodness. Absolutely stunningly beautiful. What an image. What a Savior.
Wow thank you so much! How wonderful to see it spoke to your heart. He is such a beautiful Savior! Thank you for restacking also!
It’s deeply moving. I hope it gets seen far and wide. I don’t have many subscribers but I’m doing what I can. LOL. Hope y’all are having a good week!!
Thank you! I hope so too. I don’t have a lot either. I trust the Lord knows where it needs to go yeah? You’re doing great! How’s the writing going? And the horticulture? Praying you aren’t suffering too much in that excessive heat down there. We are good thanks. A bit smoky but not too bad.
It is definitely hot, but God bless y’all with regard to the fires! Spokane is just heartbreaking. We haven’t had any big ones here yet this year.
I almost did a post today. Almost. I just need to get my head right. I want to be clear and easily understood when I write. I know I probably need to just do it in order to learn, but it’s a little bit intimidating. Honestly, I’m enjoying what all of you amazing people are writing so much! It’s very inspiring and uplifting! Thank you so much for encouraging me to join in, though!
I hope you both have a wonderful evening!
Powerful and moving, Gilda!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I’m so glad it spoke to you!
It did! It must have been hard for you to write, especially since you recently went through the scary incident with your grandson!
Yes it was difficult. It took me a long time to write this piece. I had to keep setting it down and go back to it and see if everything flowed in the right places. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
Thank you, Gilda, for this beautiful meditation on embodied love. It is very moving.
You’re so welcome. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I am so touched that you found it moving.
This resonates so much Gilda.
I have many similar experiences in my life, but one comes to mind in 4K technicolor.
We were picnicking on the bank of the Columbia river one day, my daughter Natalie was wading and playing in the shallows. I think she was three or four.
My parents were visiting and we we're enjoying the day, and a lot of fun conversation...
...and then my wife's voice...normally beautiful and calming, now urgent in a way I had never heard before. Just two words: "JON GO!"
I look to where my wife is pointing, and see my daughter's eyes...big as pie-plates...the rest of her under water, about 20 yards from the bank. Somehow, while we were talking, we lost track of her. She was just moments from drowning or being swept away in the river's central current.
Thinking about it still makes me cringe. We saw her "just in time."
Now...I'm a good swimmer. But that day, I'm pretty sure I was faster than Michael Phelps at his best. I've never been more motivated in my life...by the love you captured beautifully in the memory of your father.
I got to her...but it was close Gilda...too darn close.
On our way home, after the panic had settled, I learned how special my daughter was.
We were debriefing the situation, asking what we should all do different next time to keep it from happening again. That's when Natalie, without missing a beat, and with plenty of girl-sass, said: "swimming lessons."
That's Natalie. She's 16 now, and she's a terrific swimmer. About a year ago, she was at the lake with friends when a boy fell off the boat. He was a weak swimmer and quickly found himself in trouble. Natalie went in after him, and today they're both doing fine.
In her world, fear is for overcoming.
I can't imagine my world without Natalie. Thank you God! Thank you...
And thank you Gilda. This was a vulnerable and beautiful article. I really loved it. 💙
Oh my goodness! 😳😅
So many thoughts…so many feelings. Thanks for sharing Gilda. This story deserves an article of its own anyways. 👍🏻
Yes you’re right. It would have made it too long I think. And if the Lord wanted me to add it in He would have brought it to my mind and heart at the time. Your story should be an article too!! It’s marvelous!
Wow! Thank you so very much for sharing such a powerful story of how God used you and spared your beautiful Natalie. The love of her father rushing in!!! And then how God used her to spare another! Incredible. God is so good!!! I am so moved by your story.
As I was reading this I realized I had completely neglected to add another time God spared a life. It was my youngest daughter; the mother of our grandson I wrote of in this piece!!! How could I not have immediately thought of it? God used your story to remind me! She was about four and we were in FL at a resort on a business trip. I was with all the kids at the pool. My oldest daughter at the time kept whining that I was not playing with her because I was always watching the younger children. She kept pleading with me to do “just one lap with her”to the deep end of the pool. I felt so badly so I finally agreed. I sat the three youngest at the edge of the steps on the low end and explained what was happening and admonished them to wait right there. Don’t move! I had the oldest of them who was around 10 keep a sharp eye on the youngest. We swam as fast as we could, touched the edge of the deep end and flipped back and began swimming back to them. That’s what I saw my youngest daughter’s large pink head bow bobbing up and down in the water. I screamed and swam for all my might. The man in the cabana stand heard me scream. By the time I reached her which couldn’t have been more than seconds, he had jumped over the counter and helped me lift her out of the water. As he turned her onto her side and began banging her back he explained he is also a life guard. Water poured out of her mouth and he began CPR. He then asked her as she came to why she was reaching her arms up as she had both arms straight up. She said I was trying to hold the angel’s hands. Then she looked at me and said Mommy! Did you see them? All happy like she said this. It was horrific and strange all at the same time. She still talks about this. Meanwhile I felt like the worst mother in the universe.
Praise God who rescues our babies!!!
Powerful.
Thank you! How encouraging!
I cried twice. Thank you, Father, for every rescue, especially the first one.
Crying with you! Thanks to the Father! Yes. God is so gracious and good.