I was about seven years old, playing in our front yard when I decided it would be fun to pretend to be a hitchhiker. Mind you, back then, hitchhiking wasn’t necessarily ‘cool’ but it did lead one to imagine the neat places, people, and things a person who hitchhiked across the country might see. And I was bored.

So I moseyed on down to the well traveled country road that ran in front of our house and threw out my upturned thumb in the universal ‘hitch a ride’ stance.   I was thinking how cool I must look, all well traveled and confident, just another world traveler waiting on my next ride. (Oh my mercy, what an imagination….)

But then a truck stopped. And the man driving the truck opened the door. And he asked me if I needed a ride

I. FROZE.

My legs would not work. And even though my brain was screaming “I’m OK – I live here!” My normally chatty mouth WOULD not, COULD not make any words come out. So I stood there with my mouth agape, and my body trembling until he closed the door and finally sped away.

Go ahead, breathe a collective sigh of relief that my recklessness did not get me kidnapped or killed.

Honestly, when I think about this story from my now adult perspective, I find myself realizing that not too much has changed.

Even in my ‘grown up’ state, I am still prone to wander, sometimes fascinated and drawn by the siren call of the world. At times, boredom can still motivate me to do not so smart things that put me in danger of being swept away by the first wave that crashes into my little world.

((SIGH.))

You see, I really do believe that God is who He says He is. I believe He is the way, the truth, and the life. And I rejoice in these truths. Really, I do. But sometimes.

Sometimes, I take my eye off the prize.

Like Peter stepping out of the boat to go to Christ in Matthew 14. He WALKED ON WATER YA’LL!!! Because his focus was on THE ONE who gives us the power to do so. But the very second Peter took his eyes off Christ, he became afraid and beginning to sink, he cried “Lord, save me!”

Don’t miss this next part of the scripture ya’ll: “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.” (emphasis mine)

Immediately. WOW.

When I wander, when I do not so smart stuff, when I am sinking in deep water, and when fear stops me in my tracks, the moment I cry out to God, He reaches out His hand and catches me.

My heart is so full with this truth. I think I’ll rest here awhile. Will you join me?

Father God, thank You for Your great love for us. Thank you that You hear the cries of Your people. Thank you Lord, that no matter how hopeless things seem, You are our hope. Thank you that no matter how far away we wander, You lovingly bring us back into Your fold. Help us to keep our focus on You, Father. And in those times that we lose our focus, help us be quick to return it to You. We love You and we praise You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31