Rescue

   After the crash the survivors were thrown into the heaving freezing Atlantic water. Jet fuel floated on the surface blinding them. The sound of the wind howling deafened them. The icy water numbed them and their flailing limbs grew weak – too weak to grasp each other or any of the floating debris that surrounded them. Their pitiful voices grew faint and icy death began to come to them all.

   Then a hand, strong, sure and pierced reach out from a rescue boat and with unimaginable strength plucked them from the sea. The rescuer wrapped each one in a blanket and fed them warm liquids. He massaged their limbs and encouraged them saying: “Be of good cheer, I AM here”.

   But their struggle to live was now even more pronounced. In the water they had moved with the water, but now sitting huddled in the boat they were thrown back and forth and against the hard wooden sides and seats by the violence of the waves. Their weak muscles and disoriented minds unable to steady themselves from the wild motion, they were battered and bruised in the seeming unending pummelling and buffeting of the storm. Now that they were out of the water the wind plucked at their blankets seeking gaps to freeze ankles and hands. Frostbite was a deadly maiming possibility. When they were in the water they had given up hope and did not even believe in the possibility of a rescuer. In the boat however they now had a hope of life and so they grew the more terrified of losing it. Despair at the thought of coming so close to salvation and then dying in agony surged through their thoughts.

   But their rescuer was wise. He constantly monitored the survivors and ministered what was needed. He grouped the weak with the strong and gave the strong advice on how to look after their charges.

   Even so he still visited each person constantly. With great assurance warmth and love he said:

I AM here

Do not despair nor fear

Be of good cheer

The harbour is near

I know the course and I steer

Be of good cheer

I AM here.