I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land….Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  Psalm 143:6,8

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction….For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:2,6,7

Interesting scriptures that stand out to me this morning. I just finished the Portland Marathon on my 50th birthday…last Sunday. This was not a race for me It was a way for me to get myself out the door and to exercise…be a good steward of my body, and have fellowship along the way…Drinking water during the marathon was important…they say that by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

In my life,work,play,service, I desire to quench the thirst of my soul before I am all dried up. I am so encouraged by the passage today that the Lord will meet me in the water of His word to refresh my soul. It is my responsibility to take myself to the fountain to dip my heart in the stream of life.

That was evident to me yesterday…All day, the idea to have a tea party at Wednesday night bible study kept coming to mind…I did not have the time to pack a tea party up when I started out the door. As the day progressed, the time opened up, and I stepped out in faith…We were studying Genesis chapters 17,18. When we arrived at the table set before us, there was a sweet fellowship…a pouring out of tea, and an overflow from our hearts. I realized that I need to be in the word to have a pouring out of my heart. Those women all brought to the table, the Master’s table, the wisdom and fruit from their hydrated hearts.

I am in this marathon of life…much longer than 26 miles…and may it not be in the desert of a parched soul. I want to be a woman that finishes the race, keeping the faith. I am grateful for the glimpses of faith from others along the way…The water of the word.

Lord, I want to be a strong finisher. I do care how I finish this race. I want to come to you long before my soul is parched, to be refreshed in you word. Lord please use my life to pour out to others. I do not want anyone to miss out on You. You are the oasis in a dry land, and thank You for your provision and strength.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 6:05 am and is filed under Daily Readings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.