“Lifeguard! Help! Somebody, hellllp!”
I stirred trying to recognize this faint voice.
“Help! Help me!”
Sitting straight up, I awoke to a dream that would haunt me for days.
The word rescue had already been stirring in my soul. (you can read about it here in my private newsletter and don’t forget to subscribe to get it delivered to you) I’d been jotting down notes on napkins, cards, and even in my journal. This word was grabbing my heart with such a fierceness that it was hard to breath on some days.
Rescue. Help. The words had me bobbing up and down in an ocean of mixed emotions. Where was God leading? What was I to do? This word had such a pressing impact on my soul, but what did it all mean?
The lifeguard returns.
Trying to put images of past rescue’s and the weight of the dream I had awakened to into perspective, I found myself reflecting on my ten years as a lifeguard and water safety instructor.
To top it off, God would have the word rescue brought to my attention everyday in my quiet time and Bible reading. There were passages everywhere. Pages of scripture riddled hundreds of times over with the word rescue. Over and Over it was there beckoning my soul to search and learn.
Awakened one morning, I was excited to be able to sneak off on a week-long cruise with my husband. Finally, I thought, rest and relaxation and a quieting of the soul.
This was not necessarily so. Boarding the ship, there were signs of rescue all around — life vests, life rings, life boats, and shepherd’s crooks. I quickly realized there would not be a break in the disturbance of my mind as signs of rescue were posted everywhere.
The lifeguard was back. Maybe this would be something different, but my mind was back in rescuing mode.
Exploring the word rescue.
The past few October’s, I’ve joined Emily at Chatting at the Sky and her sister The Nester for the October challenge to write 31 days on a specific subject. (you can visit all the others participating in the challenge here)
If you’d like to see my past series, you can take a look at:
2011 — 31 Days of Living with Purpose
2012 — 31 Days of Anonymity
After wrestling with the word rescue for months now, I’ve decided to bring this word to life for the next 31 days. I’ll expose the truths stirring in my soul regarding this daring, venturesome, and fearless word.
I hope you’ll come back daily and jump in with me.
We have some searching and rescuing to do!
QUESTION: I’d love to know your initial thoughts on the word rescue?
For easy access, you can find the 31 posts listed below:
Day 1: 31 days of rescue
Day 2: when rescuing looks like cool fun
Day 3: you will need to train to rescue
Day 4: let’s go skinny dipping
Day 5: secure your life vest first
Day 6: when testing leads to fear of drowning
Day 7: when the early morning awakens you
Day 8: which kind of lifeguard are you?
Day 9: who’s going to guatemala and how you can come too
Day 10 – 14: in Guatemala
Day 15: when you think you’re sent to rescue
Day 16: when the rescue seems overwhelming, you have it wrong
Day 17: if you can swim in shallow waters, you can swim in the deep
If you would like to receive these posts directly in to your email box, please subscribe here. You can follow along on facebook or twitter too.
After wrestling with the word rescue for months, I decided to bring this word to life. I’ll expose the truths stirring in my soul regarding this daring, venturesome, and fearless word. Oh how I’d love your input too!
Truthfully, when I hear the word “Rescue” I always think of the Peder Eide CD. It’s definitely a fav. (He talks about it here: http://youtu.be/MC8Ws4k6NC4)
Katie – I’ll have to look that up. The link you left does not work for some reason. Thanks girl — rescue is stirring.
Stupid parenthesis. Being grammatically correct messed up my url… Attempt two: http://youtu.be/MC8Ws4k6NC4
Well now you have me in tears. He states so many of the thoughts storming through my mind. This word will not leave me alone. Thanks for that video and description of the song. Beautiful — just as you!!!
It’s that beautiful! I don’t remember if the song’s in the video I sent you or not but here’s the music video: http://youtu.be/D7IfNNclIqA
Thought about you this morning. I was watching a program that was talking about girls that had been pulled into the sex trafficking world. Through the film it was clear that the main thing the girls wanted was to know that someone cared. As Lisa Bevere held the girl and explained some past struggles she wept. The little girl said, “Noone has ever cried for me before.” When we are needing rescue, sometimes we just need someone to cry with us and hold us.
Oh my that makes me cry. It’s so true though. Everyone just wants to know they are understood, heard, and wanted enough to just sit and cry with. Beautiful!!
I love this! I look forward to following this journey over the next 31 days.
When I hear the word Rescue I always think of Jesus rescuing me. I am so very thankful.
Grace changes things.
Blessings ~~ dawn
I’m loving all you gals and your 31 Days of blogging. That’s awesome! I’m especially excited about yours. I was with my girls today and heard one of the most tragic stories yet. Keep up the important work, sweet friend :)
Alene, mad props for doing 31 Days with Guatemala in the middle!! But seriously, so looking forward to this series. I just can’t wait to hear what the Lord has put on your heart! I suspect this will be powerful for all of us!
Rescue is a powerful word for me, too, even before baby rescue. When I think of God I think of Him as Rescuer.
I’m following your series, friend. I text you today, too. Did you get that? Or did you leave already?
What a great blog Arlene. As usual you’ve hit the nail on the head..
Thank you Deborah! So thankful you are joining us for this series. Always love your feedback.