Thirsty Puppy!

We live just outside of Toronto Ontario in Canada.  We're supposed to have four seasons...  Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.  Lately we have two..  Hot and Cold.  Our Winter begins in November, and ends in early to Mid April.  Our Summer begins in May and ends in October.  We haven't had our seasonal transition months in what seems like many years. 

Today, July 4th, is a hot day.  The heat is a tropical heavy, damp and humid heat.  It sits on you and suffocates....probably partly due to our poor air quality.  My precious little (78 lb--not so little) dog Ava, is just like many other dogs in that she wears a fur coat.  When we're outside on our walks she pants, seeks out shade, stops walking....she just can't go on.  She also likes to dig in the grass looking for moisture.  Today, I decided, that for our walk, due to this suffocating heat, I would bring a water bottle for Ava so that she could be refreshed. 

The water bottle is quite brilliantly made, easy to use and keeps the water cold long enough to last for our one hour walk.  It's basically a squeeze bottle with a bowl attached to the top.  When you squeeze it, water fills into the bowl.

I presented the bottle to Ava for her to have a drink.  However, instead of happily and gratefully lapping the water up, refreshing and rejuvenating herself, she resisted everything I tried.  She hid her cute  furry-little self behind my legs, dropping her nose and pushing the water bottle aside.

She couldn't recognize that this water would refresh her, fill her and hydrate her and give her what she needed.  It was everything she needed in that moment.  She was parched, and she wanted nothing to do with it.

The Lord spoke to my heart and said "How often do you do this with me?" 

In John 7 Jesus says "z“If anyone thirsts, let him acome to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, bas6 the Scripture has said, c‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of dliving water.’ ”

The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit as the Living Water.  He wants to refresh, fill and hydrate us giving us what we need, but we so often don't recognize it or don't come to Him.  How often are we parched to the point of not being able to go on? 

Heavenly Father,

You are our Lord!  We praise You and Thank you that you provide for us everything we need.  Lord, Thank you for not ever giving up on us.  Thank you that you will never leave us or forsake us.  Help us to recognize when we need to be hydrated and refreshed, that we will come to You.  Forgive us for the times when we go on in our own strength.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

C.Butler