The Heat Goes On!

Whew!!! It's still so hot outside it makes me tired. Soon it will be Fall, so I won't rant and rave and complain about the heat because I know cool weather will come any day now. Hopefully, the cooler weather will bring with it enough rain to bring our lake level back up to normal because it is our source of water, and is now 7 feet below what it should be. 

Checking out weather forecasts frequently and finding even 30% chance of rain excites me!

 

I hope, hope, hope ... and pray for rain.

I am very thankful (and I stay thankful) for the abundance of water that we so often take for granted. First thing in the morning, a hot shower relieves me after a good night’s sleep, or refreshes me when I come in from working in the yard. I can satisfy my thirst at any time, wash my hair whenever I want, and keep our yard watered sufficiently (although we are on water restrictions, at least we can water a couple of days a week).

It wasn't that long ago that the convenience of running water and indoor plumbing were luxuries to most of our parents and grandparents (at least mine, that is). The lack of those things brings to my mind the summer when my cousin Charlene and I stayed with my Grandpa and Grandma McCoy for a few days.

My grandparents lived in the country in a farm house which had no indoor plumbing. All the water was drawn from the well behind the house and, in the back room, there was a bucket with a ladle (or dipper) in it. That was drinking water for everybody!!! When you were thirsty, just go to the bucket, grab the dipper, take a big swig and PUT THE DIPPER BACK in the bucket!!! Oh my. I don't think that would fly now. :-(

That particular summer day stands out in my memory because Charlene and I had played all afternoon, and came indoors hot and sweaty as only 8 year olds can. (I think it goes without saying that the house wasn't that much cooler, although it did provide relief from the blazing sun!) There was no place to take a bath! My very bold cousin went straight to the bucket, stripped off her clothes, pulled out the dipper, and began to pour water all over herself. Being a very modest person, I was shocked! But never will I forget the visual of the relief and joy on her face as she stood there in the altogether being refreshed by the water and her delight as she poured it over her head and body.

There are times in my life when it feels as though I am going through a dry spell and need more refreshment than usual. Hot wouldn't be a way to describe that as much as feeling weary, parched and thirsty in a very dry land.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:1-2.

My relief I find in Jesus and His Word. When He asked the Samaritan woman at the well for water, (John 4), her response to Him sparked a conversation with the One who could offer water that would quench her thirst forever. While the water at the well (or from the faucet or bucket) will temporarily refresh and satisfy our thirst, the "living water" He offered becomes in us a “spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Whoever will drink of that water will never be thirsty again.

Because of Jesus and what He did for me, when I am dry and thirsty, I can go to Him at any time, drink from that well and be satisfied. Ephesians even says that that I am “washed” in the water of His Word--He makes [the Church] “holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” Ephesians 5:26. Like Charlene, I can be washed by the water of His Word for refreshment. Really, the best part is that I don’t have to “wait” until I’m dry and panting. I fill myself daily with drinking water to keep my body hydrated. Immersing myself each day in the water of God’s Word keeps me hydrated spiritually. I desperately need it - it never ceases to amaze me how life can leave us spattered and grimy with the  daily things. World events, daily news, hurtful words, mean thoughts, thoughtless actions, and so on can harden my heart if left unchecked and unwashed.

Thank You Jesus that Your Word, coupled with Your Spirit, will wash over us and bring refreshment ... and peace, like nothing else can.