Tuckered Out  

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you  would have asked him and he would have given you living water ."   John 4:10 

 

  Yanked out of a deep and dreamless sleep, I reach across my pillow to put an end to the madness. The sound of my alarm feels a million miles away. Snooze comes through for me again. I groan in silence wishing for another hour instead of another ten minutes. Plans for the day fill my mind like a percolating pot of coffee depositing into a cup.   

Unfortunately for me, I do not drink coffee. 

After showering and putting myself together, I go to wake my children. I ache for my oldest who dreads morning. Getting him out of bed requires a good amount of dynamite, and today I have much sympathy. 

Breakfast gives me a boost. As I walk out the door, I notice that I am still functioning. I’m amazed. Dropping the kids off at school and stopping by the post office on the way to work makes me feel like I’ve run a marathon.  

What is wrong with me? 

Stepping into the office, I grab my bottle of water, and begin drinking it like a newborn baby. As the day wears on, energy fills my limbs. My mind becomes clearer, my steps less dragging. I realize my mistake in letting myself get too busy the day before - too busy to stay hydrated. My body type requires a lot of water. I often carry a water bottle around with me, to keep from getting really thirsty.   

Just like a clear glass of cool water keeps me strong enough to face the day, God’s Word provides my spirit with much needed hydration. Without it, I can bet on hitting a wall, or barely dragging by, hoping to exhibit some trace of fruit. As the details of life hassle me, I sometimes forget to take a drink or two, and my heart becomes as dry as dust. 

Staying in tune with what our bodies need makes facing the alarm clock much easier. Keeping in step with the hunger and thirst of our souls gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Don’t settle for the artificial boost of self indulgence and temporary satisfaction - they work way too much like a caffeine headache.  

Lord, I need Your Word more than my next breath. Help me take little sips throughout the day, keeping me from the defeat of exhaustion. My strength comes from You alone.