when the tide goes out

When the tide goes out the rocks are exposed.  Years ago our family vacationed on Cape Cod, where my Aunt and Uncle had a summer place.  We especially enjoyed swimming on the bay side of the Cape, where the water was much warmer and calmer than the ocean side.  It was fascinating to walk out onto the wet sand of the bay when the tide pulled the water back.  You could reach down and pull clams right out of the ground.  A few hours later the water would be back, several feet deep in the same spot.  When the tide ran out it also exposed large rocks (taller than a man) that you weren't aware of until low tide.  The recent financial crisis in our country is like a low tide that has exposed some rocks of corruption that might have otherwise gone undetected.  The insurance giant A.I.G.(American International Group) was one of the first big firms to be swamped by the subprime credit crisis.  It was also the beneficiary of $150 billion of government "bailout" money.  This economic disaster has exposed corruption high up in the company.  One of the vice presidents was found guilty on 16 charges.  He was found guilty of conspiracy, securities fraud, making false statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and mail fraud.  He was sentenced to 4 years in prison and a $200,000 fine.  One wonders if this would ever have been discovered if the good times had continued to roll.  I couldn't help but think that this was a man that probably had most of what the world calls success: position, power, prestige and wealth.  Almost certainly the ambition for these things played a role in the corrupt practices that brought him down.  The Lord has a way of taking the tide out when we least expect it.   Proverbs 26:25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,       For there are seven abominations in his heart;        26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit,       His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.        27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,       And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.   blessings (and I do recommend vacationing on Cape Cod!), Rob Smith http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/