Gò0dNews for Life
Stuck In A Tree
W
by Monica Gambrell
e lived in the middle of a thriving town at
Going back is impossible, and going forward seems even
the foot of a “mountain” that is only a small
more treacherous. No matter how fearless we normally are,
hill to most (Mount Rachel). Because my
we take a look at the circumstances around us and begin
children didn’t really have access to television when they were small, going outside to play was the closest thing
an emotional downward spiral. I know Peter did! “And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto
to heaven they could imagine. My oldest son, Daniel,
them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw
then around 11 years old, played in the woods behind
him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is
our house most of his day during the summer. We didn’t
a spirit; and they cried out in fear. But straightway Jesus
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
spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not
south call a briar patch. He was in a dilemma! Since I was
afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be
obviously in no way able to assist him, and after many
thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said,
prolonged minutes of his terrified screams, I called 911 to
Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship
see if I could get my “cat” out of the tree. Just as I finished
he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw
explaining the situation to the very patient dispatcher, I
the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink,
heard a loud scream followed by an equally resounding
he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus
thud. “Never mind, sir,” I said as I hung up the phone.
stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto
Miraculously, Daniel was O.K. He was, however, covered
him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
in many cuts, bruises, and scratches from his thorny fall.
(Matthew 14:25-31).
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.
22 // April 2021
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.
