So what’s the big deal about water? It seems evidence is mounting in favor of drinking more water, evidence that claims water plays a significant role in our bodies’ ability to heal. Some experts claim that lack of water causes many physical ailments plaguing us today, some of these being diabetes, arthritis and depression. Is it possible that we could be healthier by drinking more water? Are we really suffering from dehydration? I have spent hours on the web researching this clear liquid that so many of us take for granted.

This research was heavy on my mind when my husband, Richard, called out that everything was packed and ready to go. He had piled in camera equipment and snacks for a day of driving the back roads. This was one of our favorite things to do.

“Yes, I put in lots of bottles of water”, he called out, as he knew I would ask. Keeping our bodies in good physical condition was a goal we had set early in our married life. Yet we had neglected keeping up with our water. This had become my latest battle cry.

Not long into our trip, we came upon an old home place that brought overwhelming emotion to my heart and mind. We pulled over and got out for a closer look. The windows were broken, the door was hanging by a hinge and there was a deep sag in the roof. Apple trees were a short distance away, with the past season’s fruit here and there on the ground. My heart saddened as I began to daydream of what once was. As I gazed at the house, my mind’s eye could see smoke coming from the chimney. I could almost smell the aroma of hot biscuits and bacon coming from the kitchen window and hear children’s laughter coming from the doorway. I was sure there had been pretty curtains at the windows and lots of flowers near the doorway.

“Here’s an old well”, Richard called out, bringing me back to reality. “Careful now, stand back. This well is no longer a good thing. It’s dangerous and needs to be filled.”

As my husband had suspected, indeed, there had been a well at one time. It had provided water to parched little ones as they ran home from play. This water had nourished livestock and helped in food preparation. It had provided baths and clean soft sheets for their beds at night. Only a trained eye would have suspected water was still available at this location.

Richard had worked with two conservation districts at one point in his career. Part of his responsibility was closing old wells at home sites that had been abandoned. He explained to me the importance of the preservation of ground water. With open wells no longer in use, debris of various kinds can enter the well and cause contamination of one of our most precious commodities. Even today as we ride through the country side, Richard points out spots where he suspects an open well. Groves of apple trees many times represent a sign of an old home place and a well.

I thought about the land where we were standing. More than likely a man had brought his beloved wife to the spot to make a home. He dug a well and planted apple trees for his family. A man and his wife dreamed dreams here and planned for the future. But now there was no sign of life. There was only decay and remnants.

This scene was not unlike a Christian’s life when left unattended. Bitterness, anger and jealousy creep in where God wants to grow love, joy, peace and kindness. When we are not watchful, weeds of discontent and worldliness grow up and hide our water supply from life’s weary traveler. I reflected on the debris that had muddied the spiritual water of my own life for so many years. Letting go of selfishness, worry and anger had not been easy for me. But I knew, as God’s child, I was not living the abundant life promised me. Very painstakingly, over a period of time and with God’s patience, I came to a place I will never leave. Letting go and letting God have control of my life brought peace. Isn’t it ironic that what we fight against is the very thing that brings peace. We give God a personal invitation into our life and then we take our place on His throne. We are so determined to do it our way that we limp through life angry and unforgiving, while smiling at the world and pretending all is well.

As I relinquished self, I began to understand life is not about me. It’s about God and His plan to use me to bring others to Him. He wants me busy watering His children with sprinkles of kindness, splashes of joy. He wants me to have answers for those that ask of the hope that is in me.* He wants me to tell of the living water He provides to calm my life and give me hope.

As the old house faded in the background, I prayed for God to help me keep my well free of debris and His water noticeable and active in my life. I prayed He would help me be an abundant user of the physical and spiritual water He makes available to me.



* “Always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you
to give an account for the hope that is in you."
1 Peter 3:15