Mud. I turned around. More mud. I swished to face another direction. Mud again.
Oh, no, I never liked to be lost, but by Jove, I always seemed to find myself so. No matter how I swished my back fin, I always found myself looking toward a wall of sludge, oozy and caked with grime. The water I swam in was murky and shallow- I couldn’t see a thing above the surface. I was very scared. It felt like I was treading there for hours, hovering over a slimy foreign floor everlastingly. It really was nothing like what I was used to; it’s in these situations one realizes how grateful one is for the clear, sandy, happy homes one has.
In the midst of my misery I began wondering to myself how in the Thames I had got to be in a little mud pool. Merely had I been traveling; it was a nice day, not much traffic, and rather pleasant, but I was bored. I had been swimming my way from Reading Point to Slough Point, which wasn’t so bad. There was a small route, off to the side, that looked a bit more exciting, however. I took it, and then suddenly there I was! Flipping around in water that seemed by the minute to be draining. Yes, I was very sorry. Feeble minded, yes, that was what I was- still am, really. I had been warned over and over to stick to the safer roads. Repentant, for sure, that’s how I felt, true as ever; and now, what could I do to get out of it? All of a sudden a voice churned above me, deep as many fathoms and as resonating as rain sounds below the surface.
“Sweet child,” whispered the voice, though it was still a startling noise, “art thou stuck?” My voice stuck in my throat, or else the breath left my gills- either way, I couldn’t answer. “Sweet child,” continued the speaker, “thou knowest me, and I know that thou lovest me. Dost thou see thy trouble? Thou hast put thyself in danger, sweet child. I shall rescue thee.”
What? Of course I knew who He was! Don’t we all? Straight away The Great King had cupped me in his great dripping, watery hands. It was a strange feeling, swimming in my Great Saviour’s hands… I suppose it shows how brilliant and wonderful He is.
“I have helped thee, sweet child.” I tried looking up into His face, but I couldn’t see it- either it was the brilliance of it that blinded me, or my own tears. The only answer I could find in my thick skull was, “Yes, Sir.” “Wilt thou listen to mine words in the future, child?” “I’ll try hard, Sir.” I love thee, sweet child.” Thank you, Sir.” I shall set thee back, sweet child, apon the better path. Remember me, sweet child. I never forget thee.” Like the sound of thunder, His mighty form bent toward the surface of my previous deserted road. It was a lovely feeling, all the dirty grime loosening from under my scales, the sight of everything clear and clean. The Great King watched me as I began to dart along the righteous road happy and determined.
Avoid the mud, mates! Our Maker knows the alleys well. It does us good to trust Him. -