I Almost Drowned!

My dad always took us to the beach every 4^th of July.  We had just finished unloading everything and setting up the tent.  I was 11 years old that summer and was ready to go swimming.  I swam around for a while and then became hungry.  As I was walking out of the ankle-deep water, it felt like two hands had grabbed my ankles and pulled me back into the deep water.  I tried to pull away, but couldn’t.  I started to panic, swallowing lots of water as I was being pulled under.  I felt like I was drowning.  I became tired fighting this thing and as I calmed down, I thought to myself, “This is it.  I’m going to die.” 

I heard a voice say, “Stretch your hands as far as you can and as you reach above the water, take a deep breath.”  I did exactly as the voice told me.  Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands grabbing my wrists, and whatever was holding my ankles released me.  As my hands were stretched up, I felt the large inner tube my brother was on.  He was stunned to see me and told me I had swam out too far.  I told him, “I’m too tired to swim anymore, can you please help me?”  He got me on the tube and brought me safely back to shore. 

That day, I knew I had heard God’s voice when He said to stretch my hands up as far as I could.  I believe it was God’s hands I felt when I stretched my hands up.  And I know it was God who saved me that day when I felt like I was drowning.  Thank You, Father God, for with God all things are possible.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”  Isaiah 43:1-2

Frank Garcia, Jr

Harlingen, TX