Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

With our upcoming camp-out and our summer break, where I'm sure we will all be going to the pool, beach, lake or anywhere to stay cool, I wanted to pass on this article that was posted on the South Riding Homeschool Yahoo group entitled Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning.

I read this with my heart in my stomach because the actions described in this article actually happened to me last year; and since then I had thought that maybe I had over reacted until reading this. Last summer during swim team practice, Kaleigh, a Tadpole (the beginning level of the team) moved from the more shallow end of the pool to the competition lanes to practice swimming across the pool.

The lane was set up with two coaches. Kaleigh swam past the 1st coach. The 2nd coach had the job of watching Kaleigh until she swam by him, and continue watching until she reached the other end of the pool. Instead, after Kaleigh passed, he turned his back to watch the next child getting ready to jump in.

Kaleigh had experience swimming the length of the pool, but she somehow got herself in a vertical position this one day. The rest of my story describes my actions in slow motion, as that is how I remember them. It seemed everything was happening over a longer amount of time, but in reality, it all happened in less than 2 minutes. That said however, the article says you may only have 30 seconds......

In this vertical position, it appeared Kaleigh was just treading water and that she would get herself in the correct swimming position. As I'm watching I'm thinking, "Does she need help? Wouldn't she call if she needed help? Will I be overreacting to yell to the coach to help her?" At that point, I tried to get the attention of a coach, but couldn't.

In slow motion, I felt like I was seeing her slowly sink. I dropped everything in my hand and jumped in the water with clothes and shoes on to grab her. After we got out of the water, Kaleigh said to me, and I'll never forget, "Mommy, why did you jump in the water with your shoes on? I just needed your hand to help me to the side." It makes me want to cry when I think about her little voice telling me that because my hand would have not reached her.

As this article said, it was very peaceful. The whole time, she made no commotion, no yelling for help, no waiving hands, etc. In fact, if it wasn't for one of her teammates that saw me jump in and then report it to his Mom, the President of the swim team, I don't think anyone would have noticed.

It is only because of our gracious Lord that gave me enough instinct to react quickly. From that day, I always wondered if I had "overreacted." I have never been a lifeguard; I have not received training on spotting and saving someone that has trouble in the water. After all, Kaleigh, didn't look like someone I would expect to be drowning. Even though my mind was thinking all these thoughts, in my heart, I really believe that had I not been there, I would be telling you all a very different story. A story that I have to stop my mind from travelling down the "what-if" road.

I believe that the Lord wanted me to read this article as confirmation that I did not overreact. Our Lord has provided the answers to all the questions I had about that day through this article, even though this took place almost 3/4 of a year ago. I am constantly amazed that His timing for everything is never too late and always just the right time, even when I may not see it that way at first.

It was bitter sweet to read this as I was reminded of that one summer day. But, I'm thankful that He reminds me that I am not to forget to follow my instinct and not worry so much how I look, how I sound or how I may affect others. When it comes to safety, especially of a child, the consequence could be too great. I hope my lessons learned will help you if you are ever faced with a similar situation.

Dwell

The word dwell has inundated our home lately. There are so many Scripture references encouraging us to dwell in the Lord and His Word.

Psalm 27:4-5

One thing I ask from the Lord,

this only do I seek: 

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord 

all the days of my life, 

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord 

and to seek him in his temple.  

For in the day of trouble 

he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent 

and set me high upon a rock. 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he refreshes my soul. 

He guides me along the right paths 

for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me 

all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

forever.

Here is a song I wrote in 2002 titled Dwell

DWELL

I know this journey really isn’t long

But right now I’m just standin’ still.

Time is frozen, my heart is numb;

Waitin’ takes patience I know I don’t have.

I need to see Your prints in something.

I need to hear Your voice in my ear.

I need to feel Your touch around me.

I’m ready to receive You, my Lord.

And He said, “Dwell, lay back and relax;

My feathers are covering you.

That is why you can’t see

Under My wings you find refuge;

That is why you are still.

You don’t need to move; I move for you.

Because you love me I will rescue you.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of Me,

Rests in my shadow.  Dwell, you see;

Dwell, my love, dwell in Me,

And I in your heart will dwell forever.”

(We will) Dwell (dwell), dwell together

Dwell (dwell), dwell together

Dwell (dwell), dwell together forever.

 Amber Dawn Sabia,  April 2002

The definition of dwell is:

dwell (dwl)

intr.v. dwelt (dwlt) or dwelled, dwell·ing, dwells

1. To live as a resident; reside.

2. To exist in a given place or state: dwell in joy.

I am praying that we all dwell in the Lord. Let us live and exist in Him. The beauty is that He also dwells in us!

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