Living Water

My husband bought me a bird bath for my birthday several years ago. I was so surprised and delighted. I felt so special knowing he had heard me talk about what fun it would be to have one, remembered and brought one home for me. It was such a thoughtful gift, and I have enjoyed it immensely.

I love watching the different little “characters” that come for a little refreshing drink or a cooling bath. The blue birds are so brash and noisy. No such thing as sharing as far as they are concerned. It’s make way for me and any little bird unfortunate enough to be perched on the edge having a little drink or sitting in the basin taking a bath is shooed away. He (or she as the case may be) then plunges in splashing around and becoming twice its size as the water plumps up his feathers. By the time he is finished, he’s so heavy with water he can barely get enough lift to fly away.

Then there are the doves who always come in pairs. They really are so peaceful. They quietly get a little drink and then take a refreshing dip. Then they hop off into the grass to get a bit of a sun bath. They stay close to one another, and when one is ready to leave they take off together.

There are lots of other little birds that come. I have become familiar with most. Occasionally, though, a bird I’ve never seen before will fly in. Once there was a beautiful wild canary – with bright yellow feathers. It is always exciting when someone new comes to the bird bath.

For years I have faithfully cleaned and filled this little basin. Some years, when it has been extremely dry, even the deer come to have a drink. I’ve even seen a cat or two balanced precariously on the edge drinking their fill. In those years, I’m sure it was the only source of water for most of the little creatures.

This year we have had an abundance of rain. The old records have been broken and July has gone down as the wettest one in history for our area. There is water in every conceivable crack and crevice. And my bird bath sits forlornly vacant in the middle of our front lawn. I suppose there is so much water around, they don’t need to come here for a drink. Perhaps they feel safer finding a place away from people. However, I feel rather sad and unappreciated. All these years I have faithfully provided what they were in need of, and now that there is abundance they no longer come to me. I miss them.

In thinking about this I just couldn’t ignore the fact that I often treat the Lord in the same off-handed way. As long as I have everything I need or want; as long as life is going smoothly I am not as faithful about spending time with Him. All is well, and it isn’t that I don’t love Him, but there is just so much to be done. I fully intend to spend time with Him, but I just need to do this other thing first.

However, the moment the telephone rings with bad news or someone falls ill or some other catastrophe strikes, and I am desperate for help I find myself running to Him. I know full well that He is the only One I can turn to for help. He is the only One who can provide what I need.

He always welcomes me back; He always forgives my neglect; He always faithfully listens as I pour my heart out to Him, but I wonder if he isn’t feeling the way I feel when my little “friends” take my love and care for granted. Surely it saddens His heart when I put Him last on my “to do” list. Surely He longs to see me come and take the drink of living water He offers me. I want to draw closer to Him and spend time with Him and learn the things He is longing to teach me.

“Father, help to never take for granted the unbelievable privilege of spending time with You. May I value it always as the priceless treasure that it is.”

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God.”
~ Psalm 42:1 (NAS)

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