We all go through seasons we don’t expect. The ones we have no plan for. Unwanted seasons we must endure. Times when we are emotionally, physically, and spiritually down. They come whether we’d like them to or not because they’re just a part of life’s journey.
I don’t know about you, but when I am in one of those seasons for a while, I feel out of sorts. Even though I know it won’t last forever and that He will see me through, what is true doesn’t always stay at the forefront of my mind; knowing truths doesn’t always make it easier to wait and persevere.
In those times, we are in constant need of help, and sometimes help shows up in the most unexpected ways if we have an open heart to hear His voice. Recently, help showed up for me on a big brown box delivered by FedEx.
I love gardening, and though I always enjoy wandering through our local plant nurseries just as soon as spring starts to shine, I found out I could also buy plants online. After a lot of “window shopping” and researching, I placed my order and waited (the one downside of online plant ordering).
We came home one day to see a few brown boxes sitting by the door, which meant the plants had arrived! My husband gathered them up and put them up on the table so I could open them. The first thing I noticed were these instructions, right there on the side of the box in nice, big letters: Live plant inside. Please open me and give me a drink. It seemed obvious we would need to water our plants, but still the instructions were written out for us.
The plants were beautiful, and though on the outside I couldn’t tell at all that they were dry, they were ready for a good drink of water and soaked up every drop from my watering can.
It hit me in that moment. I am this plant. Live person here. Please care for me, help me, satisfy my thirst. In seasons that are particularly rough, oh, how I need the Living Water to fill me! I need His help. I thirst for Him, my constant Source that never runs dry. He, and only He, can refresh my soul.
I spread out my hand to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
Psalm 143:6 (NIV)
I know we all have times when we are spiritually thirsty, when daily struggles and distractions can keep us from Him. We may not even realize how dehydrated we’ve become. We seem fine. We look fine. We think we are filling ourselves up, yet the insatiable thirst continues. We become parched and weak because there is no substitute for the refreshment only God can provide.
Christ has come to give us living water and to give it to us in abundance. The invitation is there, spelled out for us:
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
John 7:38 (NIV)
Jennifer,
I share your love of gardening. All the different species, colors, and varieties of plants just amazes me. What an awesome Creator we have. But, like you said, He created us to need water….the human variety craves living water. I’ve also learned that I can’t wait until I’m parched and bone dry to fill up on His Word. I need to be in it every day, keeping the soil moist so that when the dry season comes (and it will) I have something to go on. I like to buy nearly dead plants off the 50 cent shelf and bring them back to life. That, however, is much harder than keeping alive a regularly watered plant. I think the same applies to us. I, too, need a drink….every day. Love the analogy!!
Blessings and enjoy playing in the dirt 🙂
Bev xx
I like to bring those plants back to life as well! But you are so right… regularly watering works best. For plants and us! Thank you for joining in the conversation today, Bev. I always appreciate your thoughts!
Funny how sometimes women think we are not subject to the basic rules of maintaining a body–or a soul. Thanks for sharing the Living Water today, Jennifer. May we drink deeply from Him, every single day.
Yes and amen to that, Michele! Every single day!
Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this beautiful truth today. I hope your day is lovely! Georgia
Oh thank you so much, Georgia! Same to you!
I am thirsty too and will take a big drink of Him today!
So happy to hear that, Kathy!
Such a refreshing post – thank you! Makes me think of Psalm 1:1-3, and the promise we have of continual refreshment as we abide in Christ: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither– whatever they do prospers.”
Such a beautiful Psalm, Denise. Thank you so much for sharing with us today!
These words are so timely Jennifer. I’ve felt a little run down with everything that’s been going on in my circle. Michele is right–we do forget that we need to take care of ourselves. I’m so thankful that I can go to God (at any time) and He will abundantly supply me with the living water I need.
Yes, Kelly! Remember to take care of you!
This is beautiful, Jennifer. I love those moments when God speaks, and how he uses those things in our lives (the plant in your hands) to remind us we are made to be loved as well as to love. So many times I am hard on myself, and so this speaks to me personally. Like, it’s okay to drink. Sit down. Breathe. Be watered.
Thank you. xoxo
Oh yes, Meghan… please remember He wants to care for you. Always. And you are not alone, I am hard on myself too, so I need to remind myself this as well!
Jennifer,
Caring for the garden is one of my favorite things to do. Yesterday after watering a friend’s, and doing some running around with my son, we planted ourselves at the waterfront to gaze out into the ocean. For me any source of water is soothing, and seems to make me feel nearer to God. You have described so beautifully the answer to why that is, thank-you for sharing this morning.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
What a beautiful picture you paint, Penny. How wonderful to enjoy the waterfront in that way!
Oh, amen. Both as a mom and a teacher, the end of the school year is spiritually (and every other way) dehydrating for sure! Thanks for sharing this story. I needed it today.
You are most welcome, Melissa. I hope you receive the refreshment only God can provide you this summer break!
Amen. So true. Thank you, Jennifer.
Thank you so much, Brenda!
HI Jennifer! There is so much truth in this. Praying that we will all take a big, long drink of Living Water today. Many blessings!
Praying for that right along with you, Connie! Thank you!
Thirsts can be quenched and the Holy Spirit.
Yes and amen to that, Rebecca!
Jennifer,
This reminds me of the story: the woman at the well. Jesus asked her for water & she was shocked a Jew would talk to a Samaritan. When He told her of the living water she could have-she left everything & ran back to town to tell others. Everyone needs His living water to fill us up. This life is far to crazy to go without God for even one day. We will all go through trials & tribulations. His word & people are so soothing to our weary, worn out souls. “There is no substitute for the refreshment only God can provide.” Don’t wait till your almost on empty to take a drink. Do it daily. Come to Him for your soul’s refreshment.
Blessings 🙂
Yes! It is such a gift that we can go to Him for our soul refreshment… anytime! Thank you for sharing your encouraging thoughts today, Beth.
Jennifer,
P.S. I love your new photo. Great to see your whole profile. I pray all is well with you.
Blessings 🙂
Oh goodness, thank you so much for saying that, Beth. You are so sweet! xo
Great story with an excellent image/message. By the time we sense thirst, we’re already dehydrated. Sipping water through the day is the best way to maintain health. Same for spiritual health—a steady sipping from the fountain of Living Water.
I love that image, Heather… a steady sipping from the fountain of Living Water. Yes and amen to that!
“There is no substitute for the refreshment only God can provide.” Yes! Thank you for this timely reminder to identify our true thirst and quench it with the One true source! xx
Such a simple thought, but one I need reminding of from time to time. Thank you, Becky!