where waves grow sweet

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalm 63

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Hey there! It sure has been a while. Between covid’s effects on my world, construction, guests and a new puppy, I haven’t had much opportunity to come out to my big gray chair in the shed and spend some time with you. Sorry about that! I hope you are all finding grace for these challenging times and maybe even some deep sips of joy.

Before I start writing puppy posts, I have another to share about the chickens. The small food and water containers we used for their baby chick stage had to be replaced by larger ones to meet the needs of their rapidly growing bodies and appetites. The only problem was that a curve near the top of the new water container could be mistaken for the water line, causing someone such as myself (who is supposed to wear glasses but doesn’t) to think that there is plenty of water when, in reality, there could be none.

While checking this container during a patch of wretchedly hot weather that caused even my non-water-drinking-husband to down several glasses an hour, I wondered how it could still be so full. Upon closer inspection, my error of mistaking the curve for the water line was revealed. Not only was it not full, it was completely empty; bone dry. Whether it had been that way for an hour or a day, I don’t know. 

The chickens were in the run, looking desperately overheated. I raced to fill their water and tried calling them into the coop to drink up. Normally they come running at the sound of my voice, but this time they stood their ground on the dusty landscape, mouths agape. The bucket of water I then placed in their midst garnered no response.  Finally something stirred them, sending the whole flock running into the coop where they gathered around their new container and drank their fill. When I came back later, they looked healthy and contented, giving this chicken mama great relief.

The thing that struck me is the fact that they actually have access to water in their run all the time. After building the coop, John installed an enormous water barrel that feeds into small cups, triggered by a simple peck. Chase and I filled the cups for them for a while, but they were emptied so quickly, it felt futile. And despite John’s attempts to teach them to do it themselves, they haven’t caught on.

I can relate to this story. This season I have been thirsty. Not just physically, but deep in my soul, feeling the heat of hard circumstances and needing a good, long drink – of comfort, encouragement, hope. A few sips won’t satisfy like they used to. And the usual places I go to quench my thirst – or distract myself from it – have been empty and dry, leaving me wanting. 

Though uncomfortable, this is not a bad thing. I would likely die without thirst because it alerts me to my need for water, an essential component of life. This is a spiritual as well as a physical truth. And it’s also been good that my easy fixes for this thirst haven’t been forthcoming – that life hasn’t placed a container full of hope or happiness right in front of me. Because then I would always be dependent on something external to quench my thirst or meet my needs. Instead, in this hard, dry season, I have been compelled out of utter necessity to learn to press more deeply into Jesus, the only source that will never fail. As I do, hope rises. Discouragement falls away. Strength for the journey is renewed. And I know I will need to continue drawing on this living water – every hour if need be – as long as the heat remains. Perhaps this season of necessary dependence will cause me to learn to abide in Him always so that I don’t ever leave the source. Wouldn’t that be something?

This water is available to everyone. Jesus said “let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink!” Maybe, like the chickens, we haven’t realized that the water is there. Maybe we haven’t known how to tap into it. Or maybe we have become accustomed to others – or life – filling it up for us. But if you have also hit a dry, hard season and are thirsty, know that it is there for the taking. Not just in small measure, but more than we could ever drink. So much, we will have plenty to share. So let us, by simple faith, press into Him and take a long cold drink.