Well-Watered by the Word

I still remember many details about my great-grandmother. For example, her snoring sounded as though she were saying, “Cold-Sheep, Cold-Sheep.” My grandfather, however, claimed that she was saying, “Corral-Cow, Corral-Cow.”

The other day, my mother and I found ourselves discussing the dry weather. She mentioned that my great-grandmother—who enjoyed her garden immensely—could never get enough of rainy days. Whenever a downpour finally arrived, others supposed this would satisfy her. But when asked if the amount of rain pleased her, she would exclaim that it was, “Not enough!”

God’s Word is like fresh water for the soul; we need it every day. I agree with my great-grandmother: A rare rainstorm is “not enough” to make a garden thrive.

Driven to the Dollar Store

Two sisters who love to shop were walking around town on a drizzly day; suddenly a driver pulled up and offered them a ride. What should they say? Mother had warned them never to go anywhere with a stranger—nor even an acquaintance, for that matter. But hurray! This driver was no stranger to them: The fellow in the dark truck was none other than dear old Dad.

When life’s circumstances seem to be heading us in a dire direction, we can rest assured that our heavenly Father is a driver we can fully trust.

What to Do about the Other Shoe

When a tenant in an upstairs apartment dropped one shoe, you knew that the second one would soon follow. That explains the meaning of the phrase “waiting for the other shoe to drop.” So often we think we know what will happen, but the truth is that mere humans don’t.
 
An online shopper finally found the perfect winter jacket, but she figured her husband—who had an account at the auction site—would be too busy at work to order it for her. Surprisingly, he happened to be waiting for someone and agreed to place the order. But when she clicked on the item a few minutes later, her heart sank. Somebody had ordered the jacket three hours ago! Oh, no. Well, she would have to look for something else, though she doubted another jacket could be found for such a good price. Before she started searching, however, she read the title of a recent e-mail from her husband: “I got it.” Apparently, he had been the one who had bought the jacket; it turned out that the auction site was three hours behind her time zone.
 
So what should we do about the other shoe we assume will drop? Humbly admit that we don’t know what will happen, and be comforted by the fact that God does.

Cash and a Splash

On a mostly gray day in November, two sisters went for a walk together. One discovered some coins on the road and scooped them up with glee. The other took time to wave at a deliveryman driving by. Though he returned the gesture, he also delivered rainwater as the big brown truck roared through a puddle.

Some days our friends find treasures on their travels; other days they discover drizzle on their dreams. May we smile while others jingle the joy in their pocket, and may we hold a hairdryer to help them dry their duds.