'You Don't Miss Your Water...'

There is an old saying my momma used to say all the time… “You don’t miss your water ‘til your well runs dry.”  I cannot recall if she was quoting lyrics from an old song or if it was just another one of her ‘off the tip of the tongue’ animated expressions she often planted in our heads. Either way, it was repeated enough to embed an everlasting impression. I must admit, I initially did not ‘get it!’ “A well? What is a well?”  I am sure I did one of those ‘eye rolls’ most kids do when they are lectured by their elders. But as time passed, I understood her words clearly.

Too many times we go about our daily duties and onuses without giving a second thought to how we make it from day to day. We go to jobs that we think will always be available; take for granted our good health; give and buy kids things that are well above our means, which they presuppose is a ‘given…’ and the list goes on.

What that expression means is that we cannot appreciate what we have, until we no longer have it. Even the simplest of things, like the air we so freely breathe, is taken for granted. Consider those who no longer have the capability of freely inhaling fresh air, as they become dependent on a breathing apparatus.

As I sit back with my ‘brew’ in one hand and pen in the other, I consider how blessed I really am.  I have had so many ‘water missing’ moments. And now, I think I am ever so grateful for the tiny things because this is my birthday month... A benchmark birthday!  As I embark on a new stage of this wonderful life God has granted me, I seem to have had a huge growth-spurt! Uhhh, mentally and physically! I am not embracing the physical aspect easily, but I am accepting it and claiming good health, Lol. As a whole, I’m enlightened, learned, more vibrant, and comfortable in my own skin. But most importantly, I have grown to REALLY know Jesus. I am Sooo Thankful!  He has and still sustains me. Everything I am and have gracefully endured is because of Him.

Life and those ‘water missing’ moments have taught me so much…

-To be still and listen when I’m anxious- Philippians 4: 6-7

-To take my hands off when I want to fix everything- Exodus 14:14

-When God seemed so far away- Psalm 139

-When I have lost a loved one- John 14:18

-How to let go of pain when I have been wronged- 1 Peter 5:7

-When I realized everyone around me had grown or is gone- Deuteronomy 31:8

-When I put trust in man and not in Him- Psalm 27

-When I have been taken for granted; walked over- 2 Chronicles 15:7

And if I can’t remember anything else but that childhood scripture, encompassing all, I recite- Psalm 23.

So if you are wondering, what will happen next? Why has your well seemingly dried up? How will you make it? Please remember this-

Be grateful. Be thankful

For your now

For whatever situation

That has been bestowed

For He didn’t bring you this far

So that you’d turn around

Be grateful. Be graceful

Start thanking Him.

For He is your

‘How’

Blessings,

PJ Payne