“and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11

I see that it has been almost two months since I updated the blog. I used to check statistics daily and weekly to see how many readers have popped in and which posts are being read, but I honestly haven’t looked since the last time I posted. I’m checking in today because something the Lord showed me felt like it could bring comfort to someone else.

During this season of loss, caring for my dad, and being apart from my family, there are a lot of unanswered questions. There are many responsibilities, and I’m having to learn as I go. I’m very aware of my reliance on God for wisdom and strength, and even for courage. I have had trouble focusing to be still. Busyness is how I tend to deal with stress. If I can knock something off the list, it’s a relief. I read, but I often have to go back and read it again because my thoughts flit to the things that I need to figure out and the questions that I have, or I nod off because I’m so tired. So I asked God to meet me in it because I desperately missed the deep connections I used to make during my time of study. He has been so good to do it. Many times it is in the middle of something that He shows me a scripture that relates to my situation in a way I have never thought of.

When I looked out the window this morning, I discovered it rained again. People here in Arkansas say they don’t remember a year with so many storms. After each rain, the yard is full of birds flitting about and foraging. I saw several kinds of birds in the tree tops today, and they were singing. Maybe they were praising the Lord for His provision. Isaiah 58:11 came to mind.

Isaiah 58 says that when we call upon the Lord and forsake our sin, and when we become vessels that provide and care for others who are in need, that God will satisfy us, guide us, and strengthen us. We will be “like a watered garden, like a spring of water, and whose waters do not fail.”

God fills His true followers with the Living Water–His Spirit. We never lack what we need for life and godliness when He is our Source (2 Peter 1:3). But the something more is that while we understand that a well watered garden is fruitful, and that is a sign of a life of worship that blesses our Heavenly Father and brings Him glory, a fruitful garden is a blessing and source of life to others. Like those birds are out there feasting and praising, other people benefit when we are able to navigate the trials with grace.

Somewhere in the midst of life’s storms, its difficulties, is where our faith and dependence on God grows. In struggles, we develop strength and resiliency. In life’s challenges, we learn. We gain knowledge, experience, and wisdom. We become equipped to teach, encourage, and comfort others from the well of what God has been doing in our lives. Our Spirit-watered lives. Our well watered walk.

God holds you. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, someone else will see you walking on water, even if you don’t realize you are. They will see Him through your eyes, taste that Living Water you’re holding, and they’ll know it’s the real deal. Somehow, it helps to know that when we go through hard things and God uses it for our good, to make us more Christ-like, it can mean the difference in whether someone else comes to the Well for a drink.

Your moments matter.

~Be encouraged~

P.S. These are volunteer potato plants that we found growing in the emptied garden beds. In this tiny bit of soil and with all the water that God has sent this year, these discarded potatoes found roots. It makes me think of the movie Faith Like Potatoes. Feels like a hug from God, and He’s saying, “Look what I can do, and I will do it for you.”

I’m counting on it, and I’ve been adding soil as they grow.