"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13 

Davon Huss tells the story of a boy who came home one hot afternoon, anxious to take a cool swim in the pond behind his home. He lived in south Florida, so taking a quick dip was a common way to cool off. He raced for the pond, dropping his shoes, shirt, and socks along the way. His mother spotted him diving off the dock, and went outside to check on him. 

As she watched her son swim toward the middle of the lake, she also spotted an alligator moving from the far shore, toward her son! She began screaming the warnings, and the boy stopped mid-swim. He finally understood the danger, and began racing back toward the dock. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

It was a tug-of-war from a mother's worst nightmare. From the dock, she pulled his arms. From the water, the alligator held his legs. A farmer driving by heard the screams, and ran to help. He shot the alligator and helped the mother call for help. The boy survived, and after several weeks of hospitalization, was ready to talk with a news reporter. 

The reporter asked the child if he could see where the alligator had bitten him. With the typical pride of a boy, he showed off his healing wounds to the interested reporter. "But wait," said the boy, "look at these!" With that, he showed the reporter the scars on his arms. "I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go." 

I realize not everyone shares the same experience of a mom who wouldn't let go of them. Sometimes our scars are for other reasons. No matter how great our moms are or were, no mom is perfect. We all need the love of our heavenly Mother (read Isaiah's words above) to fill in the gaps, to heal us and make us whole. And even more importantly, equip us to be people who rescue and hold onto others. 

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