LIFE FOR GRANTED

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4

Have you ever gone through a life-threatening experience? You should never take those for granted, especially if you emerge unharmed. My brother and I enjoy doing dangerous things, often utilizing fire and various weapons, while out in the woods. We also love building forts. Due to this, we have always been a bit careless with our actions. We also own a garden. Each year we plant tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peppers, and other vegetables. When it comes time to plant the tomatoes, we put up special tomato cages to keep the animals out, and to help the tomatoes climb the walls of the cage to remain steady. These tomato cages are simple round wire cages, with spikes on the bottom. The place where we keep these tomato cages is on a hill above the garden. This makes it hard to put them away but easier to get them to the garden. And so every year my brother and I walk up the hill, pull down the tomato cages, and roll them down to the garden. Last year, my brother and I were doing this, and we decided that it would be fun to try and throw them as far as we could before they rolled down the hill. As always, we were having fun, and then somehow, my brother ended up down the hill from me. I did not see him and threw the tomato cage down the hill. Do you remember those spikes I told you about on the bottom of the cages? One of those spikes came less than an inch away from his eye. If God had not been watching over him he may have become blind that day. The lesson to take from this is to not be careless with your life. You have no idea how fragile it is, and how quickly it can go away. My brother and I still have lots of fun, but are more careful. So next time you think about doing that reckless thing that your friend tells you to do, think it over, think about the consequences, and trust God that He will keep you safe.

By: Anonymous ('23)