English Original
Some years ago on a hot summer day 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 his shoes, socks, and shirt. He jumped into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother, looking out the window, saw the two as they drew closer. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and began to swim back. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. An incredible tug-of-war began. The alligator was much stronger, but the mother was far too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were severely scarred by the vicious attack. On his arms were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails had dug into his flesh as she fought to hold on to him.
Later, a newspaper reporter asked the boy if he would show his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. Then, with obvious pride, he said, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.
But some wounds, my friend, are there because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
中文翻译
多年前，在佛罗里达州南部一个炎热的夏日，一个小男孩决定去屋后的老水潭游泳。
他急着跳进清凉的水里，从后门跑出去，一路丢下了鞋子、袜子和衬衫。他跳进水中，没有意识到，当他游向湖心时，一只短吻鳄正游向岸边。他的母亲从窗户望出去，看到两者越来越近。在极度的恐惧中，她冲向水边，用尽全力朝儿子呼喊。
听到母亲的声音，小男孩警觉起来，开始往回游。但为时已晚。就在他游到母亲身边时，鳄鱼也追上了他。
在码头上，母亲抓住了小男孩的手臂，而鳄鱼同时咬住了他的腿。一场不可思议的拔河就此开始。鳄鱼的力量大得多，但母亲的爱是如此炽烈，她绝不松手。一位农夫恰巧开车经过，听到了她的尖叫，跳下卡车，瞄准并射杀了鳄鱼。
令人惊叹的是，在医院住了数周后，小男孩活了下来。他的双腿因鳄鱼凶恶的攻击而伤痕累累。他的手臂上则有深深的抓痕，那是母亲为了紧紧抓住她深爱的儿子，指甲嵌入他皮肉所留下的。
后来，一位报社记者采访这个男孩，问他是否愿意展示他的伤疤。男孩卷起了裤腿。然后，他带着明显的自豪说道：“但是看看我的手臂。我的手臂上也有很深的疤痕。我有这些疤痕，是因为我的妈妈没有放手。”
你和我都能与那个小男孩产生共鸣。我们也有伤疤。不是鳄鱼留下的，而是痛苦往事留下的印记。有些伤疤不堪入目，给我们带来了深深的悔恨。
但是，我的朋友，有些伤痕的存在，是因为上帝拒绝放手。在你挣扎的过程中，祂一直紧紧抓着你。