The kids had been climbing every rock we passed along the trail in American Fork Canyon. We paused and chatted as they scampered up and around and down the huge boulders.

Jake, Bratcher, and Emilia climbing boulders.

Along the trail was a particularly gigantic rock. The sign next to it said, “Sliding Rock.” The middle of the rock looked like a pitted, steel slide worn down by lots of bums sliding down it.

My five-year-old nephew Bratcher really wanted to climb it. His mom, Claudia, said he’d climbed it before with an uncle.  She told him he could climb the rock on the way back. His mom also reminded him that he’d have to climb it on it his own.  Claudia did not rock climb and there was no way she was climbing up Sliding Rock.

Bratcher making his way up to Sliding Rock

On the return trip, Bratcher ran to the rock and found a path up to it by climbing some smaller ascending boulders next to it. He quickly made his way up to the point where he could scramble onto the huge sliding rock.

He carefully crawled across the face of Sliding Rock, finding foot and handholds as he took each step.  I hadn’t realized how steep the rock really was until I watched him move across the rock with his whole body low because of the incline.

Bratcher crossing the face of Sliding Rock

Bratcher soon made it to the middle of the rock!  But then he suddenly felt stuck.  He didn’t feel confident to turn around where he was so he could slide down the rock.

We told him where he could put his feet to help him turn around, but the next large footholds were just a stretch out of reach.  His panic grew and he needed to be delivered. He started crying out to his mom.

Crying Out to be Delivered

Claudia immediately sensed his terror and started for the boulder path to her son.  As she scrambled up the rocks, she exclaimed, “I can’t see how anyone thinks this is a path!” I told her I wouldn’t mind climbing up to Bratcher and headed over to her when he suddenly let out a shriek of terror.  In an instant, that mama had scaled the boulders, leaped onto Sliding Rock, and had crossed the rock’s face to Bratcher.

Claudia reached Bratcher

Suddenly, she realized she was high above the ground on the rock, too!  Claudia suppressed her personal fear and focused on Bratcher.  She held him to her as she turned slightly.  The rest of us formed a protective wall at the bottom of the rock.  She trusted us and let go. In a flash, Claudia delivered Bratcher safe and sound at the bottom of Sliding Rock.

Bratcher and his twin sister Emelia immediately began climbing the rock from the bottom and sliding down four or five feet and having a blast. We all gathered around Claudia, amazed, impressed, and inspired by what she’d just overcome and accomplished for her son.

Jesus Christ Delivers Us

I couldn’t help but think of how the Lord comes to my aid when I cry out to Him.  Peter’s walking on water experience is the perfect example.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him….

Claudia immediately rushed to the aid of her son and stretched for her hand and caught him.

The Psalmist recorded

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And the Savior Himself promised

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

I saw the Savior’s sacrifice for me in Claudia’s self-sacrificing saving of Bratcher.  In a million different ways, Jesus reaches out to us and delivers us from the distress of trials, sins, and weakness.

And behold, and lo, I am with you to bless you and deliver you forever. Amen.

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