Treading Water

Treading Water
Monday, September 7, 2026 by GAIL PALLOTTA

Categories: GUEST AUTHORS

PLEASE WELCOME

GAIL PALLOTTA

MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES

As I look at the world around me, I’m constantly thankful that God is good. I’m also aware that every good thing I see or that happens comes from God. Without Him, I would have ONLY sadness, sorrow, pain, illness, and trouble.

As a Christian, I’m reminded we are called upon to do good.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.

Then, in Hebrews 13:16, the Bible tells us:

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Louie, a teen in Treading Water:

Barely Above Water illustrates how a person can walk humbly and do good. Even though Louie isn’t a swimmer, he swims as the fourth leg on a relay to help a rag-tag team, The Dolphins, sponsored by a small tourist town. The competitors are children of local service industry workers who’ve been given the night off to attend this home meet. The kids want to make their parents proud of them. On the relay, Louie swims as slow as molasses in front of excellent swimmers and adults who are watching the meet.

When Louie finishes, he’s sad. He says, “If the Dolphins lose, it’s all because of me.” But the coach assures him that if the team wins, it’s because of him. She tells him he was brave enough to swim when they needed him even though the sport wasn’t his thing. If he hadn’t swum, they couldn’t have put a relay in the water and would have lost seven points, which they needed to win the close meet.

Read more about the swim team, Suzie and her faith in Treading Water: Barely Above Water, revised edition.

MORE ABOUT TREADING WATER

In the story, Suzie Morris suffers a sense of isolation and loneliness when she’s struck with an illness her physician can’t diagnose. Without family, she’s on her own. To make matters worse, her boyfriend dumps her. Relying on her Christian faith, she moves to Destin, Florida, to get treatment from an alternative doctor. After she lands a temporary job coaching a fun, county-sponsored rag-tag swim team, her handsome boss, Matt Combs, renews her belief in love. However, when Matt learns of Suzie’s medical problem, he cuts romantic ties. Recently saddened by the illness and death of his mother, he fears he couldn’t face another loss. Later, he regrets his decision and tries to make amends. Hope for healing flickers inside Suzie when she hears of new remedies, but will the latest discoveries work for her? If she recovers, can Matt regain her trust?

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Treading-Water-Barely-Above-ebook/dp/B0HDSLRLKL/

MORE ABOUT GAIL PALLOTTA

Gail’s a wife, Mom, swimmer, and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets, and getting together with friends and family. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Nominee. She’s published ten books, poems, short stories, and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

Website: https://gailpallotta.com

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