thirst

November 17, 2024

Satisfaction


Finally finished it!
It’s been so nice getting together.
That was a really good book.
Ahh, I was so thirsty!
You did a great job with that.

Don’t thoughts like these make you smile?! … Whether it’s busy care with family or finishing something for work, that feeling of completion and accomplishment brings great satisfaction. A full stomach after a meal or a cool drink of water when thirsty satisfies the needs of our body, as well, and may sometimes be taken for granted.

The book of Psalms offers a lot of praises and thanks to God. This one reminds me of the celebration of Thanksgiving here.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:8-9

It made me think of satisfying different kinds of thirst and hunger… like thirst for knowledge or more faith and hunger for friendship, peace, or rest. It’s a daily giving and receiving, fulfillment through God’s provision and presence.

Paul put this well in his letter to the Philippians:

And my God will meet all your needs
according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

As you go through each day, may you bask in God’s great love. May you be filled and satisfied. May it be all and more than enough, as we rest in Him.

And in this satisfaction we rest
Hope and life through each day is best
Through God’s Spirit sent from above
Grant laughter and be filled to live and love

Charlotte-Anne Allen

October 16, 2022

Never


“Well, I never!”

Have you ever heard or expressed these same words? When taken by surprise, when the unexpected or unplanned hits us head-on, this simple phrase expresses it all! Fill in the blank.

Never, never, never… A word that can express relief, disappointment, anger, conviction, and so much more.

– I never have to go there again!

– We never thought they would do such a thing.

– I’m never going to talk to him again!

– I’ll never give up.

Sometimes “never” is a positive word, a practical expression of the end of use for some item (That’ll never come clean or That can never be repaired). At other times “never” is a call of desperation. Think of the times when you’ve worked to complete, learn, or do something and you reach the point when out of frustration or exhaustion you just think, “I’ll never get this done!” When we reach such low points, “never” can loom its head and drive our thoughts downward. We struggle with self-doubt, need, or depression… echoes of The Raven’s “nevermore”!

How do we cope when our thoughts take a plunge?! When “never” seems like a dark storm approaching? Pausing for some quiet time and prayer sure helps. It would be so nice to have some support too, someone to help out or to be a sounding board and understanding presence.

That reminds me of when Jesus spoke of satisfying hunger and thirst, not just physical satisfaction but a deeper hunger and thirst for a full and significant life. He knows our need for forgiveness of wrongs, for peace and happiness, and for God. Jesus was saying that all who come to him will never go hungry or thirsty for what really matters in life. He will never turn anyone away who comes to him. Now those are some good “never-s”! *

As we encounter our “never”, surprised by the unexpected or unplanned, may we be drawn to God’s “ever” …ever with us and ever satisfying our greatest longings and needs.

*John 6:35-37
Charlotte-Anne Allen

July 18, 2020

Storm’s Call

storm rain distance_IMG_4619

Rustle of leaves
on a scorching day
The sun blinks its eyes
as shadows slip in

Chirping birds
Now grow silent
As earth holds its breath
And heated air stirs

The rumble of a passing truck
Grows and speaks to
Dark clouds advancing building
Carried on silent streams

A dog’s sharp bark
Shatters the sudden stillness
And the cat races to shelter
As searing light pierces the sky

Storm’s call sounds
Make way Make way
Wind’s breath blows cool
As full drops descend

Pounding now upon thirsty ground
Washing cleansing making new
Wafting lifting petrichor’s rich smell
… Rain’s offering to lifted noses

Streams of water flowing
Warm toes cooling
Hot faces relieving
Churning clouds slowly recede

Storm’s call beckons
Lifts its arm in final salute
And rolls slowly on
As mist begins to rise