I remember clearly the day that my friends and I discovered the swimming hole. We had been exploring the damage, wreckage and upheaval that was left behind from recent flooding. The creek bed had changed dramatically from the rushing walls and waves of water and debris that had come from somewhere else upstream. The landscape was foreign to us as well, with the previous winter’s summer growth of weeds and roadside plants flattened by the thousands upon thousands of conquering gallons of water. Some of our dads could not get out to work because of the flooding and damage that had been done.
As we followed the creek bed, examining the new discoveries and shifted terrain, we came across empty containers and household items that had been carried away by the recent storm and left in our territory. It was a record year for this particular flood and we were overflowing with excitement that had been deposited by the now subsiding waters. The curves that were cut deeper into the creek bed and islands that were made from the storm only seemed to propel our curiosity as we made our way up the creek through the valley that descended from the hills above. Rounding a narrow bend with water trickling through like a brook, we discovered a widened area that we had never been to before. With a waterfall at the opposite end from us, we all came to the same conclusion—that this would be a perfect spot for swimming.
As spring turned into summer, those hot days were a reminder that our new swimming hole was awaiting us. My friends would ride their bicycles down the hill to our new favorite spot. I would ride mine up the hill until I had to stop and then push my bike up the long hill to the spot just down the hill from the side of the road. Meeting up with our swimming trunks on and towels ready for drying off, we took turns jumping in from the waterfall which was our new diving area. It wasn’t that deep, probably just six feet at the waterfall, but it was enough to cool off these restless teenage boys on the hot days that dragged on between the school years.
We paid more attention to the rain now and were always inquisitive when it came to “our swimming hole” to see if there had been any dramatic changes afterwards. When swimming after a recent rain, we were always a little more cautious about snakes and other creatures that might make their way out into the water. With the water a little more brown and murky, we used caution when visiting this spot, always hesitant to get in not knowing what laid at the bottom of the shifting and always squishy creek bed soil.
Now looking back, I see a parallel between that swimming hole and my life and those that I love. As we grow older, there are actions taken against us or that we have taken that now lie at the bottom of our souls. Choices we made, roads not taken, dangerous lessons learned—or not learned—in time. Things that have shaped us, not only in our past but in the lives of our parents and grandparents. Decisions they made, things that they lived with and carried with them, that swelled up into a raging current that kept rushing downstream until it was deposited into our lives, or the lives of our children. Issues of health, mental well-being, and stability; along with our God-given disposition and personality all serve to make us who we are.
Just as my friends and I would not dare jump into that swimming hole directly after a summer rain, we may also avoid those who have gone through troubling things and have moments when the sediment of their souls is loosened and everything surrounding them becomes murky. They may appear to not be put together well, or become emotional about things that have hurt them in the past. This often gives us reason to pause, take a step back or even repel from them. But it is in these moments when we may have the greatest impact and our actions may be a healing salve for them. Just because the water is cloudy, does not mean that they are not the same people, the same friends that we knew and loved before. But it may be found that in those moments, this person and friend needs you the most. Times like this are difficult to be sure, but well worth the effort for a friend who desires to live out their love at all times.
For those of us who are and have been the ones with the moments and days of “cloudy, murky disposition”, we would like for you to know that it is ok and safe to be near and around us. For those that recoil and distance themselves from a friend who is in this position, remember that you also have sediment lying at the bottom of your soul. Sure, you may not have it come up to the surface quite as often as others, or you may have private moments when you deal with it on your own, but it is still there. To deny it is to deny a part of yourself and what makes you or has shaped you into the person that you are. It is hard work, but be a friend. Because one day, you may just need a friend when the sediment rises to the surface of your life.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. - Philippians 2:1-4 NLT
As we followed the creek bed, examining the new discoveries and shifted terrain, we came across empty containers and household items that had been carried away by the recent storm and left in our territory. It was a record year for this particular flood and we were overflowing with excitement that had been deposited by the now subsiding waters. The curves that were cut deeper into the creek bed and islands that were made from the storm only seemed to propel our curiosity as we made our way up the creek through the valley that descended from the hills above. Rounding a narrow bend with water trickling through like a brook, we discovered a widened area that we had never been to before. With a waterfall at the opposite end from us, we all came to the same conclusion—that this would be a perfect spot for swimming.
As spring turned into summer, those hot days were a reminder that our new swimming hole was awaiting us. My friends would ride their bicycles down the hill to our new favorite spot. I would ride mine up the hill until I had to stop and then push my bike up the long hill to the spot just down the hill from the side of the road. Meeting up with our swimming trunks on and towels ready for drying off, we took turns jumping in from the waterfall which was our new diving area. It wasn’t that deep, probably just six feet at the waterfall, but it was enough to cool off these restless teenage boys on the hot days that dragged on between the school years.
We paid more attention to the rain now and were always inquisitive when it came to “our swimming hole” to see if there had been any dramatic changes afterwards. When swimming after a recent rain, we were always a little more cautious about snakes and other creatures that might make their way out into the water. With the water a little more brown and murky, we used caution when visiting this spot, always hesitant to get in not knowing what laid at the bottom of the shifting and always squishy creek bed soil.
Now looking back, I see a parallel between that swimming hole and my life and those that I love. As we grow older, there are actions taken against us or that we have taken that now lie at the bottom of our souls. Choices we made, roads not taken, dangerous lessons learned—or not learned—in time. Things that have shaped us, not only in our past but in the lives of our parents and grandparents. Decisions they made, things that they lived with and carried with them, that swelled up into a raging current that kept rushing downstream until it was deposited into our lives, or the lives of our children. Issues of health, mental well-being, and stability; along with our God-given disposition and personality all serve to make us who we are.
Just as my friends and I would not dare jump into that swimming hole directly after a summer rain, we may also avoid those who have gone through troubling things and have moments when the sediment of their souls is loosened and everything surrounding them becomes murky. They may appear to not be put together well, or become emotional about things that have hurt them in the past. This often gives us reason to pause, take a step back or even repel from them. But it is in these moments when we may have the greatest impact and our actions may be a healing salve for them. Just because the water is cloudy, does not mean that they are not the same people, the same friends that we knew and loved before. But it may be found that in those moments, this person and friend needs you the most. Times like this are difficult to be sure, but well worth the effort for a friend who desires to live out their love at all times.
For those of us who are and have been the ones with the moments and days of “cloudy, murky disposition”, we would like for you to know that it is ok and safe to be near and around us. For those that recoil and distance themselves from a friend who is in this position, remember that you also have sediment lying at the bottom of your soul. Sure, you may not have it come up to the surface quite as often as others, or you may have private moments when you deal with it on your own, but it is still there. To deny it is to deny a part of yourself and what makes you or has shaped you into the person that you are. It is hard work, but be a friend. Because one day, you may just need a friend when the sediment rises to the surface of your life.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. - Philippians 2:1-4 NLT
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