When people ask me where I grew up, I like to answer: “Next to water.” Around here, they usually ask: “Norris Lake?” Then I smile and respond: “Bull Run Creek.”
If my husband Tim is around, he shakes his head and tells me: “It’s not the same. You can’t ride in a pontoon boat or on a jet ski on the creek.” I argue: “It’s still a body of water.” That being said, I have to conceded his point. Lakes are used for recreation; whereas, people in the community went to the creek to either baptize or fish. By the way, those were the only times I was allowed to go to there.
Even though Bullrun Creek flowed through Papaw’s cow fields, my mom wouldn’t let me go there by myself when I was a girl. No matter how much I begged and pleaded with her, she always answered: “No!” She even gave me her reasons. For one, she was worried about snakes being hid in the tall grass. For another, she was afraid I would fall in and be swept away while drowning. Looking back, I totally agree with her, especially since I was a Klutz who hadn’t learned how to swim yet. Not a good combination. To be honest, I didn’t want to understand. I wanted what I wanted. So, we continued to go round and round about it. That is until the day came when this changed for the both of us.
One of my mom’s friends came out to visit late one afternoon. She brought her daughter Emilly and her friend Karen. They must have been talking about it, because as soon as they came into the house, Emily and Karen wanted to walk down to the creek. Let me tell you, I was all over that like a duck on a June Bug. “Please! Please! Pretty please!” My mom held her ground: “No.” Emily and Karen reminded mom that they were older and they both were good swimmers. My mom’s friends added: “They’ll keep an eye out for her. She’ll be fine.” With that my mom relented.
I almost skipped with joy as we walked toward the creek, but we didn’t go the usual way which was toward the bridge. Instead, we went across the field from my grandparents’ house. By the time we reached it, we were at the back edge of Papaw’s property. I had never seen it from that spot. You see, it wasn’t open like where the bridge sat. There was a tall ridge just on the other side of the creek, so it was daker than what I was used to. That’s why I was so enthralled with how the sun light came through the trees and played on the water from our side. I took a step to better see, but I was closer to the creek than I realized. In case you’re thinking: “Brooke fell in.” Nope. I didn’t.
I felt my foot slip off of the grass. The next thing I knew, I was sliding down the muddy embankment toward the creek. I desperately grabbed at exposed tree roots. About the time I was able to latch onto one, Emily and Karen grabbed a hold of me. At first, I was relieved, but then I realized I couldn’t get any traction in the mud. That meant I wasn’t going to be getting back up on my own. I worried that I would have to stay there until my daddy or my papaw could come to get me. The girls began trying to pull me up. Of course, I prayed as they did. You know what, they managed to get me up enough where I could better grand the tree roots and finish climbing out myself.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalm 40: 1-2 (KJV)
We all get into bad situations that are not easy to get out of from time to time. When that happens, instead of panicking, put your faith in the Lord and reach out to Him. Just remember to wait on His timing and His answer.
My whole left side was caked in mud. It was even in my hair. I’ll never forget the look on my mom’s face when I got back home. I thought she would fuss at me or ground me for a week. She didn’t. I think she was too relieved that I was okay. After that day, I never asked her to go the creek again.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.