Joy Sutton
The
intracoastal waterway runs along the east coast of Florida. This waterway
is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands. In-between these
islands are inlets, channels of water that join the waterway to the ocean.
When the ocean tides are changing, the narrow channel ways have very
strong, swift currents of water flowing through them. Knowing this
will help you understand what I am about to tell you.
One Sunday, some 35 years ago, I was
with my husband, sister and brother-in-law fishing in the Sebastian Inlet.
Our boat was anchored. My brother-in-law Victor was fishing off the front
of the boat. I don't like to fish so I
was just enjoying myself in the back of the boat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Victor
drop something in the water. Shortly
after, I saw it go floating in the water by me.
I foolishly decided to jump into the water to retrieve it which was not
a smart thing to do as I am not at all the
athletic type! And I am certainly not a good swimmer! I immediately
became aware that the current was extremely strong as I began being
pulled away from the boat. Being such a weak swimmer, I could sense the
trouble I was in. At that same moment a voice within began to coach me, "Don't
panic. Stay calm. You have been taught how to tread water. Do that
and calmly ask them to throw you a life preserver." I did just
as I was instructed. No one in the boat really thought I was in any real
danger since my request was so calm. Again the voice within said, "Remain
calm. Ask again." I did as I was told. Again -
no response from those in the boat. I asked a third time. This time
my brother-in-law realized the situation I was in as I was drifting further and
further from the boat. He told the others, "She is not fooling!
She needs help!" Tying a rope around his waist and getting a life
preserver, he dove in and swam to get me.
My
husband and sister raised the boat anchor and came to get us both.
I know
it was God's still, quiet voice that kept me from panicking. Otherwise, I
could have so easily gone under. If I had tried to swim towards the boat,
I would have panicked, since as I mentioned before, I cannot swim well at
all. I am so very thankful that my brother-in-law finally sensed my need
for help in spite of hearing the calmness in my voice which God had directed me
to use. Had I not heard God's
instructions, I have no doubt that I would not be writing this today.
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