One really hot Summer in Nashville, we tried to find ways to keep the kids cool and have some fun at the same time. This was before we had joined the East Nashville YMCA, a.k.a. The East Nashville Country Club. We had tried the wading pool and it provided some relief, but with 4 preschoolers the water was soon dirty and filled with grass clippings. However, the water quickly became hot from solar heating, and maybe some swim diaper leakage… eeoowh! We decided we would try a place called Nashville Shores. It looked like loads of fun on the commercial, but when we checked the cost for a family of 6, it meant we could either go to the water park or have groceries next week. In looking at the backyard of the parsonage, I thought, "That is a huge hill, why not make our own waterslide?" I went to Walmart and looked at the pre-made 10 foot slip-n-slides, but they seemed so dinky. So, I went to HomeDepot and found a 100 foot roll of plastic sheeting, the thick stuff that wouldn’t tear. We unfurled the rolled up sheet of funness and turned the water on and tried to slide, but nope! Then we got a little dish soap (then baby shampoo for less eye discomfort) and just like that we had a water slide. I discovered that the soapy slide also replaced bath time, but only when Anita was not home. It had to be carefully placed in the yard because there was a big immovable rock that smarted a little when you hit it with your posterior gluteal area if not. We had hours of fun sliding down that redneck water slide and running back up the hill to do it again that Summer. Neighborhood kids would come by for slip-n-slide, pizza, whale crackers (the Aldi version of Goldfish), cheese sticks, and apple slices. We would hang the big plastic on the fence to dry and allow the grass to grow back when we weren’t sliding. It was the perfect solution for Summer heat and boredom!
According to the Disciple John in the book of Revelation, during the Great Tribulation, there will be a time that among other horrible things, the scorching heat of the Sun will be unbearable. Unlike my temporary and short lived slip and slide solution, John says that Christ Himself will be a permanent relief and shelter from the harsh elements for those who belong to Him. John says, “Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”(Revelation 7:15–17) Air conditioners break down, droughts happen, slip and slides will rip, life on this earth can be sad and tough sometimes, but those who belong to God will be refreshed. John the Revelator reminds us that Jesus, who loves us, will not forget us or abandon us. He will protect us and save us for all eternity, in spite of the things we may have to endure here on this earth.
Hang in there people! God is glad to be with us! I’m praying for us all!
