Overflowing

Read John 4:1-15

One who gives water will get water.
-Proverbs 11:25 (NRSV)

MY favorite childhood memories include going to Grandma's country home to play with my cousins. The hand pump in the front-yard well fascinated us. We considered the pump fun to use, and we competed for the chance to fill the water buckets. The adults were only too happy to let us complete this chore, since they viewed it as work! We were not allowed to play in the water, but we filled the buckets to overflowing so we could "accidentally" get splashed. That was especially wonderful on hot, humid days.

Recently as I meditated on the lesson of Proverbs 11:25, I revisited these childhood memories. I began to understand that others can receive gifts of God's love and grace from the "splashing" that occurs during our relationship with them. Just as we children filled the water buckets to overflowing, when we allow Christ, the Living Water, to fill us, we can refresh others. In turn, we can find encouragement when we extend hope, a deepening prayer life as we intercede for others, and God's blessings when we share.

When we pay attention and look around us, we will see those who need the living water that Christ offers.

by Rachel Rhodes (Missouri, USA)