Stand Up

One of my favorite childhood movies is Balto: the story of how the dog sled teams in Nome, Alaska traveled to bring medicine to the town’s dying children. Honestly, I think the bright orange vials of antitoxin are what first peaked my interest in nursing. It wasn’t long after I began giving my stuffed animals “IV”s with sewing needles, thread, and sandwich baggies filled with water. 😬

But my favorite part of the movie has nothing to do with syringes or sick kids, but a goose. Uncle Boris, as he is called, has adopted two [now grown] orphaned polar bears. In this particular scene, Uncle Boris is a little touched out & decides to make up a game. “Race you to the shore!!” he yells, and the bears eagerly take off running for the ocean… only to stop mid gallop and collapse into the water, flailing and screaming for help.

You see, the bears can’t swim. So they wail and cry out to their feathered caretaker to save them from their watery grave.

Sounds pretty dark for a favorite scene, I know. But you who have seen the movie are already laughing, because you remember that Uncle Boris, upon seeing their distress, rolls his eyes as he walks slowly towards the floundering bears and says, with strained calm, …”Boys, boys, if you will but pause for a moment, you will notice that TIDE IS OUT!!!”

Sure enough, the bears are in but a few inches of water. They sheepishly stand up, towering above the gentle waves.

As a kid, this scene is hilarious. To see them panic when there is obviously nothing to fear is quite laughable.

However, as an adult… it’s a little too relatable.

The other night, as I was praying, I was feeling so overwhelmed. I’ve been feeling the pressure of finding a new job, making decisions about how/when/if to grow our family, choosing Sophie’s schooling, some financial stuff, etc, and it was starting to get the best of me. I literally began to feel as if I was drowning in an ocean of uncertainty.

I begged God to deliver me from this anxiety, to show me clear answers, and just give me relief from all my problems. As I fervently prayed and cried out to God… that old scene from Balto came to mind. 🤦‍♀️

I laughed as I realized, “Dang it – I’m the polar bear!!” Here I am flailing and being all dramatic about my life, when all I have to do is stand up and look at what God has given me.

A salvation too wonderful for words & a hope of heaven one day.

A husband who loves me & a healthy [albeit crazy] little daughter to love.

A roof over my head and nutritious food for my body.

And a promise, that no matter what life throws at me next, He will provide.

I’m not sure what you’re going through right now. Your ocean may be mere inches deep or it might be about to swallow you. But I know that we have a God in heaven who calls us chosen, loved, and cared for. He is the one Who walks on the waves & will never let us drown.

We just have to stand up and see it.

Love always,

Kelsey