Water of Life

Water of Life

Yesterday I had one of the experiences that seem so rare in the negative world we live in. A prayer was answered. You see, I am beginning to see that this “catastrophic” event is not actually all that rare…but instead that we are not broken enough to recognize the grace we have been given. After watching the Oprah Show finale this past Wednesday I was inspired to begin a Gratitude Journal. This will be a compilation of answered prayers, and dreams that have been fulfilled through the grace of our Lord. It made me excited. Maybe, I can begin to grasp a greater understanding of where the Lord works in the places I often ignore. And, just maybe, the places I frequently see Him work, are the exact spots he wants me to serve!
So, I began my gratitude journal. First and foremost, I am grateful for my relationship with my King. Grateful seems too worldly of a word to encompass how I “feel” about the Lord and what He is to me, but it must suffice. Second, I am grateful for my health. After two great scares with my health and the frightening “C” word was thrown around, I am beginning to see the strength a healthy body has (pun intended). Strong bodies have the capacity to walk in the fresh air along a beach trail with my Mom each morning I see her. Strong Bodies have the capacity to clean my room, cook for myself, and type this blog; utilizing the gifts that the Lord has bestowed upon me. Strong bodies have the capacity to travel abroad and serve the world under the Great Commission. My second bullet point in my gratitude journal has a permanent spot of gratitude on my heart.
Once the two obvious points were made, I came to a..writers’ block. Not because I couldn’t think of the point to come next, as my gratitude for my family, friends, church, roommates, education, finances, and more began flowing from my brain onto scratch paper. I reflected back to that Oprah Show, and what it stood for. Although the show has had controversy for being the “idol” of the middle aged housewife, I clearly see its relevance and need in our nation. It empowers men and women to see behind the appearance, and behind any façade that those around us use to guard their insecurities and vulnerabilities. It challenges the viewer to take down their own brick walls in front of them. It reveals how to delve deep into the souls of those in our inner circle. As Oprah stated so beautifully, we all have “a single platform”. That is what we stand for, what we are grateful for, and how we want to change the world. As I began pondering my third point of gratefulness, I reflected on a common scene that Oprah encourages. Crying. Yes, Crying.
When husbands come home to their weary wives sobbing at the interviews on the daily television show, I assume they find it silly and ridiculous. When my mom recorded the final weeks’ shows of Oprah I sat down to give them a chance. And where did I find myself? Crying! Not even a controllable sniffle, but a complete sob! I never believed that a show of people I never knew could move me like this.
A woman dying of cancer took the role of filming videos for her six year old daughter of the life skills needed for a young lady. She knew she would not have the time to grow up and teach her daughter personally, so this incredibly strong woman took the opportunity to film her everyday life lessons for her own angel. Isn’t it true that when we witness undeniable strength in a fellow human being, we become the “weak” one? By weak, I mean the world’s definition of weakness: crying, frustration or depression. In my short 19 years of life, I have developed a respect and admiration for the strong people..AND what the world calls “weak” ones.
Tears are a beautiful thing. The water that flows from our eyes does not only grow us internally, but it prompts growth in the seeds that are around us. As tears hit the dry and closed souls of the people in our inner circle, these hearts are refreshed and see empathy. For the longest time I never knew how to cry. The callousness that our world encourages often keeps men and women from expressing guttural emotions it seems. The strongest people I know seem to be the heaviest criers; don’t you think? They are broken. They are real. They GET it. Oprah was right when she says that all facades of our world must be taken down to truly understand people.
After taking my Jesus and the Gospels Class this past spring, one theme stood out to me. Jesus’ time on Earth was greatly about His need to correct, guide, and teach. In John 11 verse 35, the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” That is all of it, completely. Jesus, wept. The Messiah wept in the company of grievers at Lazarus’ tomb. He understood their pain. He revealed empathy!

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

Let us practice, crying. Not the act of purposely weakening our souls. But instead, let us practice the art of empathy. Let us grieve in the company of grievers. When our fellow man grieves, so does our Father in Heaven. Let us practice what He taught us.
I am grateful for the gift of tears. They show brokenness. They show authenticity. They show dry souls where WE find our Living Water.
So, I continue on my gratitude journal. Having only written three points of gratefulness thus far, I feel like I have summarized to the best of my ability, the day to day strength I find in Jesus. His grace is ever flowing, and everlasting.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)