“My cousin Johnny took his family to a pool party this past August at a relative's house outside of Los Angeles. At one point, the guests were all taking a break from the pool and were milling around by the house, eating and talking.  No one noticed when young Jack (age 5) and his sister Blaire (age 2) wandered off.”

“Jack and Blaire walked down several terraces to the pool, and as it turns out, the gate to the pool had been left open.  Jack hadn't been in the pool yet, so he still had his clothes on.  Blaire, however, was in her new pink bathing suit.  As Jack played with the long-handled pool net, Blaire tested the water.  She decided it felt good, so she climbed over the edge of the pool and stood on the first step.  Then she climbed down to the second step, the water now up to the middle of her chest.  Then Blaire took the next step and went in over her head.”

“No one was there.  No one saw her go under. Except Jack.”

“Jack tossed aside the pool net he was playing with, screamed out Blaire's name at the top of his lungs, and dove in after her.  My cousin Johnny heard the scream, raced to the pool, and saw Jack, under the water,

pushing his sister to the surface.  Johnny dove in and pulled them both to safety.”

“On the first day of school, Jack's teacher asked the class to draw something from their summer vacation and to tell the story behind the picture.  Jack drew a picture of himself and Blaire at the pool.  Here is the story, word for word, that he told his mother to write for the drawing: When I was cleaning the pool, my sister started to go into the water without her floaties.  When she got on the deep step, she started to drown.  Then I jumped into the pool.  My dad jumped into the pool too.  We both got her.  We took her out of the water, and she was okay.”

If you and I were to admit it, there are times in our lives when we are over our heads; times when we feel like we’re drowning – worries, difficulties, lost dreams, health issues, financial uncertainty, marital troubles, grief, depression, etc.

If we are honest, there are times when we wish someone would jump in and save us.  Times when we just wish someone would take notice of what we’re going through.

I really want to impress upon everyone the importance and even the need to be part of a small group. Life is not meant to be lived in isolation.  Small groups are places where you can really get to know people; places where you maybe feel the freedom to speak up when you normally wouldn’t; places where you can be cared for and ministered to in a more one-on-one setting; places where you are noticed.