Rescue me

I have a friend that was a Game Warden in California. He once told me how part of his job was to patrol the canals that run for many miles through the desert in the Imperial Valley. Many of the canals have concrete sides. One day he saw a small deer had slipped into the canal and could not climb up the slippery concrete. He got a rope out of his truck and proceeded to try and lasso the the desperate little deer. But every time he threw the lasso the deer would duck and move thinking his rescuer was trying to hurt him. The little animal was in panic mode and could not grasp the situation. My friend tried and tried until the little deer ducked for the last time and did not surface. It had run out of strength to peddle and simply could not keep its head above the water any longer. As it disappeared into the water, my friend sat down on the side of the canal and wept. He was not just thinking of the deer that had not understood what was going on as somone tried to rescue it but he thought of the thousands of people who resist their rescuers...parents, friends, family, concerned people... in panic mode they could not comprehend the love and help that was available...and ultimately they go under...drowned by one of the many tough issues of this life.

Should you look through the archives of my articles you will find one called...A little Heaven Today...where I wrote this line..."Dancing and drowning it all looks the same...struggle to get nowhere....it looks so insane". Many times someones dance looks a little crazy to us but so does someones efforts when they are desperately trying to survive. Instead of standing on the banks and criticising their efforts or the fact that they got themselves into this mess...instead of waiting until they have no strength left...instead of waiting until it all makes sense or trying to make sure they understand how they got into this...maybe with love in your heart, hope in your eyes and intention in your actions...and with no conditions...just throw a lasso...save somebody who is in their own clumsy way crying..."Please rescue me."
"What you have done for the least of these you have done for me."
                                                                                          Jesus

Dance, Crazy Moves, Freedom

My 21 year old daughter came up grabbed my hand and started pulling me to the dance floor. I stuttered "Uh...maybe we should wait for a slow song." Fear was rising in my chest. What happened next would not exactly be called dancing...unless just quick movements in succession is considered dancing...regardless of how awkward it looks. But whatever you call it...I did it and my daughter freed me up with her crazy moves...and I just started moving...of course the difference is she looks really good being crazy.
And you know.., as badly as I may have done...I am certain there are those that just wished someone would have grabbed them by the hand...taken them to the floor...made some crazy moves...enjoyed the freedom of being able to let go of themselves....for at least one evening.
You have heard the saying "Dance like no ones watching." Children have no such thoughts. They know nothing of the latest and greatest dance moves and they dance as if everyone is watching. They believe that everyone that looks at them is watching and thinking "Wow look at those moves." And we are thinking just that....it doesn't matter if they are completely out of sequence or can't really keep a beat....as we watch their beaming faces we think this is life at its best...freedom of all worry...no grade is being given on technique....smiles and crazy laughter are being shared...we give grand kisses on little soft cheeks that are dripping in sweat from the freedom that was produced on that dance floor.
There is someone who needs a dance...some moments of being free of themselves and the many expectations of getting everything right...take them by the hand....pull them to life's dance floor and enjoy the awkward movements...it does not matter if there is no smooth technique or if the rhythm is off...just smile and laugh with them....make some crazy moves. We will be watching...and thinking..."Wow...look at those moves."