David Berryman
on March 14, 2025

Saved by My Dad

We were in trouble and shouting for help.

Devotional for 2025 Mar added 2/11/2025

6 min read

Saved by My Dad

One day when my brother and I were little boys, my dad chose to take us along to a drilling rig in his charge to check on their progress.

He was a geologist. And Dad often took us along for whatever he was doing. While he was in the cabin on the drill platform reviewing their reports, my brother and I were finding things to do outside. We knew we were not to go near the mud pit. It was deep, the mud is slippery and the sides are steep. But step by step we got closer, then at the edge, then in the edge. Then, the slip. One of us slid in and then the other and we were now covered in slimy mud and any move we made slid us deeper in.

We were in trouble and shouting for help. Word got back to Dad and he came out and stood at the edge of the pit.

The other men offered to pull us out, but Dad said “No, they’re my boys. I’ll pull them out.” He stepped in to the mud pit, reached down and pulled each of us out. He came into the dirty pit to pull us out.

Our Heavenly Bridegroom loves us and takes personal ownership in our salvation by lowering Himself into our dirty world in order to personally pull us from our hopeless situation.

He didn’t have to, but He chose to, because He loves us. “…for the joy that was set before Him, He endured.” Heb.12:2

 

David has enjoyed a 40+ year career as technical support in national defense until his retirement at the end of 2023. He has also served as chaplain support in Virginia since 2011, first in the Prince William Adult Detention Center until 2019 and now at Coffeewood Correctional Facility beginning in 2021. All that along with guiding a legacy of 20+ grandchildren. David feels a deep calling to walk alongside the forgotten and rejected, helping inmates find their way back and discover their purpose.

2 Comments
  1. Janice Wasser

    I am a very visual person and your story has me chuckling at the sight of two young boys covered in shiny, slimy mud, first shocked and then probably elated. Thrilled at the sheer joy of mud! Until they realize the danger they’ve gotten themselves in. The visual of their dad standing at the edge looking down and claiming the boys as his own, then sliding into the mud with the boys is humbling. I loved every bit of this story and feel the Holy Spirit warming my heart. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Andy Oldham

      Thank you, Janice, for taking the time to read and comment. I am so thankful this article blessed you!
      God Bless!

      Reply

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