Thirsty?

In the 80's, I worked at my sister, Martha's, landscape nursery, and the summers could be so hot; the air stifled us. Mama called it "close." The afternoon stretch, unless a crackling summer storm came through and ran us in the green houses, was often the worst, especially when we worked on the ground sorting and weeding sawgrass for shipment. It was sharp and left red slices on the soft, white parts of our sleeveless arms. It sometimes grew roots through the bottoms of the cell packs into the ground. The effort to pull one pack after another free in 98 degree heat was immense, and the sweat poured from everyone involved. I remember having tremendous thirst, but it was before the advent of most people carrying bottled water, so we would take a drink with us in big,plastic cups, but it would soon be gone, and we wouldn't drink again until break.

Thirst is natural. It tells us our body needs water. Our brains need water, too. It all works quite well when we listen to the signals, and don't let them go unheeded. However, I had a few days when I know now that I was very close to heat stroke. The top of my head crawled then eventually ached;my stomach hurt, and then I would become very tired. It only happened a few times when I so obsessively wanted to complete my task that I ignored my body's calls for a cool stop and a fresh drink. I think our society, at large, is very thirsty right now; we're caught up obsessively in our task of living and not listening very well to our souls. If we just be still, I think we will hear them asking for a cool stop and a fresh drink.

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37

Peace
Love, Linda