LEARNING TO SWIM.

It was fun living near the beach. I enjoyed paddling in the shadows, jumping little waves so as not to wet my dress. Then one day my fourteen year old brother said, ‘Sis, it is time you learned to swim.’

My dad chimed in, ‘That is a good idea.’ Although I liked paddling in the water, I hesitated about dipping under the waves. But my determined father and brother persuaded me to learn to swim.

My Dad promised me 10 cents ( which is about $2 in those days ) when I learned to swim. So big brother walked me to the beach whee he watched as I splashed and kicked my legs. This progressed to the dog paddle, followed by the overarm freestyle, until I succeeded a few metres.

One day I heard my brother say to my father, ‘Dad, I think Gwenda is ready to show you she can swim.’ Now, while my father was short-sighted, his strong glasses enabled him to see a fair distance. So dad walked along the Semaphore jetty, not too far, until he recognised me in the water, and ready for my test swim. And there stood my brother also.

But suddenly I felt scared. What if I sank, or swallowed sea water? So I moved along, but, using the overarm action, I pretended by walking along the sea floor. I tricked them. My Dad thought I was swimming, and soon I could collect the ten cents reward.

After a while , I shouted, ‘Is that enough, Dad?’ and he said,

‘Yes, you have done well. Come out of the water and I will meet you on the beach.’

He probably intended buying me the luxury of an ice cream as an extra reward, too. So out I ran, picked up my towel, and met Dad and my brother as they walked down the steps of the jetty and met me on the sandy beach.

But then to my surprise my big brother told on me. ‘ Dad, you cannot give her a reward. She did n’t swim. She used the right strokes with her arms, but she was walking along the bottom of the sea.’

I bent my head, as I could not look Dad in the face.

‘Yes, I confessed, ‘ I was so scared, and I thought you would not notice me walking along the sea-floor. ‘ And then I asked because I knew that Dad was short-sighted, ‘ Did you think I was swimming? You couldn’t see my legs from the jetty.’

‘Yes, but your brother saw you, and he told me.’ I glared at my brother for telling, but I knew he was right.

Dad did not punish me, but after I apologised for my deceit, he quietly rebuked, ‘ God is able to see all our actions, dear. He is not short-sighted, and He grieves when we try to out-wit Him.

‘Yes, and your brother reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us to admit our wrong ways, confess to God and be forgiven.’

I knew Dad was right, and he did buy me an icecream. I soon tried again, and satisfied Dad and my brother that I really could swim. And I still enjoy swimming.

Of course, God also observes our good, kind and loving acts.

We bless God when our behaviour honours Him. .

MEMORY VERSE: PROVERBS 15 VERSE 3

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.