Stuck In A Tree

Gò0dNews for Life

Stuck In A Tree

by Monica Gambrell

We lived in the middle of a thriving town at the foot of a “mountain” that is only a small hill to most (Mount Rachel). Because my children didn’t really have access to television when they were small, going outside to play was the closest thing to heaven they could imagine. My oldest son, Daniel, then around 11 years old, played in the woods behind our house most of his day during the summer. We didn’t have air conditioning then either, so it was easy to keep my eyes and ears attuned to his playing while I worked in the kitchen. On one particularly busy day I heard Daniel yelling “Mom!” with an especially high pitch to his already changing voice, so I stuck my head out to inquire what was going on. Apparently, he had climbed one tree, but thought the branches of the tree next door were especially appealing, so he climbed directly across the branches of one tree to the branches of the other! Now this child was normally fearless, but this situation was entirely new. He was roughly 25’ up in the tree. Fear kept him from attempting to go back the way he came, and the trunk of the second tree was surrounded by what we in the south call a briar patch. He was in a dilemma! Since I was obviously in no way able to assist him, and after many prolonged minutes of his terrified screams, I called 911 to see if I could get my “cat” out of the tree. Just as I finished explaining the situation to the very patient dispatcher, I heard a loud scream followed by an equally resounding thud. “Never mind, sir,” I said as I hung up the phone. Miraculously, Daniel was O.K. He was, however, covered in many cuts, bruises, and scratches from his thorny fall. Needless to say, he never tried that stunt again.

Have we not all experienced a time in our lives when we felt like Daniel? Fear paralyzes us, and we’re stuck. Going back is impossible, and going forward seems even more treacherous. No matter how fearless we normally are, we take a look at the circumstances around us and begin an emotional downward spiral. I know Peter did!

“And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out in fear. But straightway Jesus

spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:25-31).

Father God, may we keep our eyes trained on You. Looking unto You, the author and finisher of our faith, blind us to anything that instills paralyzing fear. Make us bold for Your sake, Amen.

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