The Sweetest Water

I'm surely a coffee girl all the way.  I love the way it smells, I like the warmth It gives on a cold morning, and I delight in the taste.  When I eat at a restaurant, I love a tall glass of raspberry tea with my meal.  On a cold night, give me hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top, slowly melting, as I enjoy the creamy beverage.  But when I am truly thirsty I crave a cold, clear, glass of water.

I could almost feel that thirst, as I read about the children of Israel today in Exodus.  The bible says, after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea on dry land they were led by Moses into the Desert of Shur.  The scripture says they traveled three days without finding water. Most of us have never felt such thirst.  Can you imagine their relief when they came upon Marah, an oasis of water, but can you feel their disappointment when they found out this water was bitter and they were unable to drink it?  At this discovery, they began to grumble to Moses, as we all might do, "What are we to drink?"  Moses went to the Lord and was instructed to throw a certain piece of wood into that bitter pool.  The bitter water was instantly transformed into sweet, refreshing water and they were able to drink.

As I read today of this tree that was thrown into the bitter water, I found that many commentators suggest that this tree represented the cross of Jesus Christ.   Many times we grumble at our circumstances, at prayers not answered or hard times that seem to plague us, when it is the tree of Jesus we need to sweeten the waters of our bitterness and discontent.  

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed.”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭NKJV

I know, myself, I have felt the bitterness of unanswered prayer.  I have prayed for healing for loved ones and for impossible circumstances, but have yet to see those  prayers answered, at least in the way and the timing that I think they should be.  But today I pray for the sweetness of the cross to refresh, and give me new hope in Him.  May I be reminded of his unfailing love and may I be still and wait on Him who died on that tree for me.

Harper's Calm Assurance

Our granddaughter Harper was born a little over nine weeks ago and what a blessing she has been.   She is a perfect baby, eating, sleeping and being adorable right on schedule.  What joy she brings us all and most certainly, her older brother Kellan! 

 I read one time that a new baby's birth is a sign that the world should go on and indeed that's true.  We think of Harper's  future and what kind of life she might have, what kind of struggles and what kind of joys.  Mom and Dad dream of her first day of school, her college education and that bitter sweet walk down the isle.  On the way she will go through eye shadow, prom and boys,  she will bless her Mommy and steal her Daddy's heart.  

One of my favorite songs is "Because He Lives" by Bill Gather.  My favorite verse is:

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy she gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because 

He lives!

Today she is content and happy, sleeping in her mothers arms, but as she grows up she will surely feel the uncertainty of this world.   But, happily, she can find calm assurance because Jesus lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

I love you, Harper, "little peanut butter queen"!

On Call

Awhile back I had a horrible, terrible throbbing toothache.  It felt like the roots of that thing was buried somewhere deep in my feet.  I felt twinges of slight pain all day but nothing I couldn't live with.  Unfortunately  after office hours, of course, the pain took a turn for the the worse.  In fact, if it hadn't been for the pain that just opening my mouth brought, I might have screamed!  I could barely concentrate on the phone book as I dialed the dentist's number.  As I expected, the answering service picked up the phone and asked, "what's you problem?"  Not being in the best frame of mind, I almost wanted to tell her my big toe ached, WHAT DID SHE THINK?  "I'll have someone call you right back," she said hurriedly, maybe noting the desperation in my voice.  As I waited "patiently" for the phone to ring, I thought probably that the dentist on call wouldn't even know me but surprisingly, my own dentist called back.  I was happy to hear a familiar voice, and especially of one who knew me.  Fortunately, he was not sleeping but was on call to hear my woes!

I thought of this today as I read one of my favorite passages.  Psalm 121 verses 3-4 reminds us that our God, the maker of heaven and earth, is always on call to hear about my fears, hurts and pain.  He never sleeps.  He knows me!  Jesus knows me this I love!

“He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Try to read Psalm 121 today, it will bless your heart.