in South Florida , a little boy decided to go  for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water,

he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water,

not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together.

In utter fear, he ran toward the water,

yelling to his son as loudly  as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn  to swim to his father.. It was too late.

Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms  just as the alligator  snatched his legs...

That began an incredible  tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father,

but the father was much  too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams,  raced from his truck,

took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.

His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack  of the animal.

And, on his arms, were deep scratches  where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort

to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter  who interviewed the boy  after the trauma,

asked if he would  show him his scars.

The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms.

I have great scars on my arms, too.

I have them because  my

Dad wouldn't let go.'

You and I can identify  with that little boy. We have scars, too.

No, not from an alligator,

but the scars of a painful past.

Some of those scars  are unsightly and have  caused us deep regret.

But, some wounds, my friend,

are because God has refused  to let go.

In the midst of your struggle,

He's been there  holding on to you...

The Scripture teaches that  God loves you. You are a child of God.

He wants to protect you  and

provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.

The swimming hole of life  is filled with peril -  and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack..

That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have  the scars of His love

on your arms, be very, very grateful.

He did not and will not ever let you go.