Ugly no more!

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty? That's how I felt a few years ago when I went to Mexico to serve with our church youth. We had the privilege of working with AMOR ministries and we were on a dry, dusty, sunny construction site and suddenly I was very thirsty.

I'm talking about the kind of thirst that drives you to stop all activity except that which leads you to water. It's funny to think that at first I thought the big, orange water cooler was to ugly to drink from. I know it sounds snobby of me, but it was dirty and smeared with hand prints and there was mud on the side where dust stuck to condensation when we sat it down on an old work table.

When I left the camp that morning with a full, clean water bottle I had the luxury of thinking that big orange thing was too ugly to drink from. I mean come on, I had my standards! Then after hours of manual labor (new to me!) and hot sun (also new to me -- I am from Portland you know!) my water bottle was drained and I had to find more...and the big orange cooler started changing. Not only did it hold water -- it was the BEST water I have ever tasted in my life! It was ugly no more!

I've been pondering water since I came across this cool verse during my morning quiet time with God's Word: Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. (Prov. 25:25) And then yesterday I heard from my good friend Aline who moved to the great CA years ago, and I experienced that verse first-hand. Whereas I didn't start my day feeling "weary" I sure had a little more pep in my step after she called!

Some good friends of mine are on their way to Alaska where I'm sure they will be like a cold drink of water to the friends they visit too. They are going to build and run a Bible camp for young people this summer and they have some really long-lasting friendships there and there are all these new people they will get to meet. I'm sure all who come into contact with them will be refreshed because these friends of mine -- they are tapped into the Living Water. Yep, Jesus Christ Himself directs their path!