Streams of refreshing

        "He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jer.17:8)
     The waters at Cane River are pouring down after weeks and weeks of rain this summer.  All I can think of as we climb and stumble and wade and fall through the frigid, cascading stream is "Thank You, Father!"  What a God of glory!  What a God who gives gifts upon gifts!  So much beauty He has created.  To think, these waters pour and pour--hour after hour, day after day, year after year, millennia after millennia.  They never run dry or run low.
     Such is our God of grace.  His mercy never ends.  His love never fails.  His grace never relents.
     And to every one of us, He beckons.  Come. Come and drink and be filled and satisfied.  "Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isa.55:1)

      So thank You, Lord.  Thank You for family and friends.  Thank You for long dinners around the big battered wooden table at Cane River.  Thank You for laughter and old stories and hot buttered biscuits.  Thank You for cookouts on the river and toasted marshmallows.  Thank You for hiking in the verdant green that completely encompasses us.  Thank You for watching thunderstorms on the porch and for the soothing sound of pounding, cool rain.  And thank You for the warmth of the sun and the way it's rays dance and sparkle on the water. Thank You for truck rides and fishing poles and shared family joys and sorrows.  Thank You for these times to pull away and find refreshment.

     But thank You most of all for Your living water--the water of salvation.  The water of the Holy Spirit that fills and refreshes and renews us again and again.  Thank You that when we are planted in You, we will remain fresh and green and verdant like those trees growing by the banks of Cane River.
     Keep us coming back to You, Lord.  Keep us in Your stream.  Refresh us.   Fill us again and again and again, Father.  Restore to us the joy of Your salvation.
     To God--our Living Water--be the glory.