SallyGanoJones

            A childhood memory came to mind yesterday.  I grew up by the beautiful Atlantic Ocean in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida, my birthplace. As a young child, my family often spent many afternoons at the beach, watching the waves beating upon the shore. At age four, I recall being afraid of the waves.

            Then, my precious young father took my hand.

            “Don’t worry, Sweetie, I’ve got you!”

            There he was tall and strong in my four-year-old eyes.  I didn’t know or realize at that young age, just how tall and strong my father was. He was a World War II Army veteran, who had survived five years of military duty in Nuremburg, Germany.  One week after he returned from the war, he married my mother whom he had asked her to wait for him, “if I survive the war,” he told her. 

            So, my very strong father was holding my little four-year-old hand, as I watched with fear as the waves were breaking.  I didn’t want to go any deeper.

            I recall looking up at him as he said, “Don’t worry, Sweetie, I’ve got you!”

            “I’ve got you…” then what could happen to me? My little mind felt at ease.

            I jumped with the waves that rolled toward us, but Daddy had my hand! We laughed and played as the cool water and waves rolled toward us in the bright Florida sun. As a little four-year-old girl, that day on the beach, I had faith in my Dad’s protection no matter how big the waves might be!

            I realized as I recalled this sweet memory of long ago, how many times I’ve faced a difficult situation in my life, and my Heavenly Father was holding my hand through it all!  He was whispering, “I’ve got you!”

            And He has you also! He’s holding on to your hand even when you are not aware!  After all, He’s got you!