When I was in fourth grade at Lafayette Elementary School, I rode a bicycle to school each day. For several weeks, the road in front of the school, Congress Street, was being paved and was all torn up.
On this particular day, it was very muddy. I tried to cross the muddy road on my bicycle. It was a short cut. I tried, but I got stuck in the mud. I mean I was stuck. I could not move the bike. I could barely move my feet. And then it started to rain and thunder and lightning. I could hear the bell ringing at the school. Everyone started lining up. But not me. I was stuck in the mud.
I couldn't help it. I started crying. I could see all the kids at the windows of the school, looking out at me, pointing. Finally, I left the bike in the mud and walked to the school, wet and muddy, crying. I went to the principal's office. The secretary called my house.
Nobody was home. So they called my grandfather. His name was Forbus Overton Oxford. He drove to school and picked me up. He then walked out in the mud to get the bicycle. He didn’t fuss at me. He didn’t question my foolishness. He rescued me. He saved my neck. I was in trouble and I needed help. A wonderful grandfather saved the day.
Are you, perhaps, struggling today? I want us to hear a promise from God: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” (Isaiah 43:2) I am holding on to that promise!