I’m glad Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water.
He showed what it looks like to walk by faith.
I’m even happier that Peter began to sink.
He demonstrated what to do when faith falters.
But when he saw the wind,
he was afraid and,
beginning to sink,
cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:30
We don’t know if Peter took two steps or twenty.
We aren’t told how far he got from the safety of the boat.
It is not reported if the water came up to his knees or his neck.
All we know is that Peter panicked and thought he was going down.
So he shouted that magnificent prayer: “Help!”
“Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.”
Matthew 14:31
Immediately.
Jesus caught the fisherman.
And He did it, according to this artist’s rendering, with a smile on His face.
There is no tsk-tsk-ing, no disappointed sigh, no frown of rebuke.
Instead, Jesus rejoices in any step of faith, even if we flounder.
He smiles and catches us so we can try again.
And again. And again.
In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help.
And he heard me; my cry reached his ears…
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
Psalm 18:6, 16
a small drop of ink 
Just what I needed to read today.
So glad it was meaningful for you. Thinking of you as you adjust to changes.
Dinah, Thank you so much for today’s post, and every other one. Your message hit home for me.
I reflect often and will always remember crying out to Jesus in my distress. Truly he picked me up from my own deep water, a puddle on the floor. I cried out “Help me Jesus”. He picked me up, and held me up until I could lean on Him. I prayed for His peace, calm and wisdom necessary to guide me through Jim’s overwhelming disease. Jesus rescued me, plain and simple just by taking that first step in faith.
Thanks for all everything you have done. You and PB were part of Jesus’ plan for me. I am forever grateful.
Gail
Gail, your words mean so much to me! What a testimony of Jesus bringing you through a very difficult time. So thankful for you!
Yes! This is the part that too often gets left out of the retelling of the story, the part of Peter doing the right thing even after a second of doubt. I’ve also been wondering lately what the others in the boat were doing or saying. Was someone scolding him? Was there a second as he was jumping in to tell him he was crazy? Was anyone ashamed for not trying to ‘come’? Did anyone cheer?
Oh, so many good questions! Stepping out of the boat was so much riskier than I ever gave Peter credit for. What was it about Peter that made him do it?
Pingback: Sink or Swim (or Walk) | a small drop of ink