Water is my drink of choice. The problem is, I often don’t drink enough of it. It’s fall time which means in a few short weeks the weather will start to get cooler. I apologize in advance for my dry skin that even the best moisturizer can’t cure.
More water seems to be the universal answer for dry skin. Choosing water is pretty easy for me. I’m not tempted by carbonated, sugary drinks when I’m thirsty. I’d rather chew my calories than drink them! Unfortunately, it’s not the desire to be hydrated that compels me to reach for a glass of water. I only do it when I’m completely parched and convinced I’m dying of thirst. No wonder I have tired, alligator skin.
What if I chose to drink water more regularly, instead of as a last resort for cotton-mouth? Would I feel better? Would my skin be more vibrant and less scaly? Of course it would. Few would disagree.
Why do I treat my spiritual body any differently? Jesus said He was the Living Water. If I’m honest, I’ll admit there are times my spiritual body is dehydrated – and it shows. I have no joy, no depth of intimacy with God, a weak or non-existent prayer life, and the evidence of a few bad habits begin to surface. It’s not pretty. When I come to my senses, I reach for the Living Water to quench a thirst, but if I’m not careful, I allow myself fall prey to dehydration all over again and my faith weakens.
There are, however, beautiful seasons when I am fully immersed in the Living Water of Life, not solely to quench thirst, but so I will experience a healthier life – the abundant life Jesus promises. Single mom, I know you can be stretched thin by all the obligations and concerns pestering your sanity on any given day. Are you staying hydrated in God’s Word? Are you letting the Living Water fill you? Or are you reaching for it only when your soul is in the desert?
Parenting is hard. Single parenting gets really hard sometimes, doesn’t it? You can’t afford to let your spiritual body dry out and weaken. Your children need a mom who is hydrated in the Living Water, a woman who is radiant and reflective of the heart of God because she is alive in Him every day, not just when she feels desperate. Your children will witness your life surrendered to the Father, and they will become thirsty too.
Lately I’ve set a personal goal to drink three quarts of water each day. After only a few days I can really tell a difference in how I feel and in my skin. Now I’m drinking it not because my mouth is bone-dry, but because I’m aware of the life it brings. Jesus came to bring us eternal life. Are you thirsty for it? Drink Him in.
Water is life, friends.
Jesus is life.
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
About Kim Heinecke
Kim Heinecke wants to live in a world where children listen to the advice of their mothers without question. As a former single mom she’s been encouraging women using her life experiences in parenting, growing in the Word of God and everything in between. When she’s not negotiating with a teenager or wrestling a pre-schooler, you can find her camping in the family RV or pretending to understand sports with her husband and four sons. Read more from Kim at www.TheMomExperiment.com.