When You’re In Need Of A Life Preserver

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Life Preserver: (noun) A floating device that is designed to save you from drowning.

I feel myself sinking, deep.

Bubbles escape and my lungs fill with water.

I am seeing the surface yet, submerged.

Conscious but slipping.

Deeper.

There is something floating above the surface.

If I can just reach it.

But I am feeling pulled towards darkness.

The light is growing dim.

One red ring floats, my hope.

Who will save me from this fate?

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Friends, I realize lately that God has been sending me Life Preservers along my life’s journey.

I am pondering this fact as I consider whether or not I will participate in an upcoming Blog Challenge.

I am not sure whether I will or not, but I want you to go ahead and see

if this is the right time for you to join in!

As I pondered possible topics for the challenge and my current life circumstances,

the thought of Faith and a Life Preserver came to my mind.

I am looking back and seeing so many of the trials and difficulties I have endured had specific, what I want to call “Life Preservers” for the time. I am not one who believes that life is all rose tinted glasses and lollipops. Perhaps you have been through some difficult times yourself.
The longer I live the more certain I am that no one gets out of this life unscathed.

We all carry our secret scars don’t we?

I believe that God is not a God who takes lightly that which we endure.

I don’t believe He is insensitive to suffering, nor does He enjoy tolerating evil.

But both can be used for His purposes, means and ends.

One of the Life Preservers He gave me this week came through His Word.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Lord may we recognize the little Life Preservers you send our way to keep our

faith afloat during trying circumstances.
Thank you that your love and faithfulness does preserve us when we feel ourselves sinking.
Thank you that in Jesus you sent the one most important Life Preserver of all.

Thank you that because you are before me I will not be shaken.

Amen.

Published by enthusiasticallydawn

Dawn Paoletta is the author of Journaling for Discovery and Delight. Her writing is included in several anthologies and her poems have been included in the Wickford Poetry and Art Exhibit and Books. Dawn is currently working on her next book. Inquiries at dawn.paoletta@gmail.com View more posts

7 thoughts on “When You’re In Need Of A Life Preserver”

Oh my friend, this is so true and so very easy to miss, to not recognize the life preservers. You have been one for me these last few months as I have walked through a painful place I have not even shared with you.Just knowing that you are there and that you care about me and my family and my life goals has meant so very much. Thank you.

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We are as close as e-mail my friend, until I get a laptop for Skyping! And you have been also for me, believe me. But it is true- the just knowing brings comfort and certain buoyancy …

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You know I have been in this place for awhile and seem to becoming out of it. Thank God for God.

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Dear Dawn, I don't know what exactly you are going through right now, and I don't need to know. But I do know the ONE Who wants to be and will continue to be your “Life Preserver” in every situation of life, no matter how deep you may feel you have sunk. We ALL go through deep valleys and sorrowful seasons of life…sooner or later. I've been there, done that, had several T-Shirts…but God “giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater”. (That's an old song, but I don't have the credits available at the moment). No matter how deep the river you are struggling through, He is always there, ready to rescue and save. Don't lose hope! Praying for you each day.

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