Our youngest granddaughter pedaled her bike down the riverside trail and called, “You can’t go fast like me.” (She was right about that.)
During brief rest stops, she picked wild violets, admired an Australian shepherd who passed us, and marveled at a deer who posed behind his foliage camouflage.
Though we chose shady paths, hot summer air soon slowed our pace. I suggested we return to the car for water, but our little biker wanted to continue. Ten minutes later, when her face began to resemble a ripe tomato, I insisted we take a break.
On the way to the car, our little sweetheart admitted, “I REALLY need some water, Gigi.” My husband and I gladly provided what she needed—ice-cold water and a damp paper towel to wipe her face.
That afternoon we enjoyed a different water experience. While she played in a wading pool, I shared two Bible stories. She asked questions and then uttered words that were music to my ears, “Tell me another story about Jesus.”
One day she’ll understand more about Him, the One who promises to meet our needs—the same One who identified Himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well.
Jesus told the woman, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:13-14 ESV
After conversing with Jesus, the startled woman left her water jar beside the well and ran toward town telling those she met,
Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?
John 4:29
Many Samaritans recognized Jesus as the Messiah that day after the woman’s testimony (v. 39). Later, Jesus issued an invitation to a group in Jerusalem and to us.
If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 7:37-39
Although water quenched our thirst at the park that morning, we grew thirsty again by lunchtime. Methods we may choose to satisfy the thirst of our hearts, other than God’s way, are short-lived at best–like drinking water for physical thirst. God offers eternal, living water to us and identifies it as His Holy Spirit working in us (passage above). Jesus satisfies the longings of our souls the moment we surrender to Him and throughout eternity.
Jesus satisfies the longings of our souls the moment we surrender to Him and throughout eternity. Share on X
On a hot summer day when we enjoyed walking beside the river and playing in the wading pool, we sipped cold water to slake our thirst. However, nothing can quench the thirst of our soul but a personal relationship with Jesus.
Consider these questions:
- Are you thirsty for the living water God offers, or do you have a personal relationship with Jesus already?
- Does someone you know long to hear “another story about Jesus”— your story about giving your life to Him?
- Has the heat of recent trials or fears made you long for the refreshment of His peace? How do you embrace His peace, joy, and hope like a drink of cool water to your soul?
Please share in the comment section how God satisfies the longings of your heart.
If you have questions about a relationship with Jesus, feel free to contact me at Jeannie@JeannieWaters.com
I love this. It makes me thirsty for water, yes, but mostly for the Word! Thanks, Jeannie!
Thank you, Lisa, for your encouraging comment. It seems the more we learn from God’s Word, the more we want to know. Life on earth keeps us thirsty for what only He can supply.
“Tell me another story about Jesus” — some of the sweetest words ever! But you’re right that we so often choose to refresh ourselves with the wrong things. Only the Word will give us what we really want and need. Thanks for sharing with us!
Leigh, thank you so much for your encouraging words. You’re right that God’s Word meets our needs. What a mighty God we serve!
“Tell me another story about Jesus” are such sweet words to hear coming from young lips. How the Father must love to hear us tell him the same thing. “Tell me another story of your love.” Those are thirst quenching words. Beautiful post, Jeannie.
Barbara, I love your idea to think about how God views our words of longing to hear more about Him. “Thirst-quenching words” for sure. I appreciate you joining in our conversation.
Jeannie, what a wonderful post! I could just feel the joy you experienced as you spent time with that sweet child. And I love that she wants to know more about Jesus. The seeds we sow…
Evelyn, I’m thankful you enjoyed the post and shared my excitement over those sweet words. Thank you for reminding us that we sow seeds from His life in us. May each of us continue to share as He leads.
What a lovely post; laced with sweetness, kindness, and love. “Tell us another story about Jesus” my Gigi friend. My heart leaped with joy when I read those words. Thank you so much for sharing your story, hopes, and goals for your sweet granddaughter.
J.D., my heart indeed leaped for joy. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I know that you share the love of Jesus with adults and children. May He water the seeds we sow in His name. Thanks so much for faithfully reading and commenting.
What a sweet story and how your grand will remember you! That ding will be brought to remembrance many times in her life.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Marilyn. We never know how the words we share will be received, but we spread the good news because Jesus makes a difference in our lives and because of our love for Him. I know you do that.
Such a refreshing story.
Thank you, Jimmie. I’m always encouraged to keep writing by your comments. I appreciate you, faithful friend.
Love this inspirational message! Thank you Jeannie.
I’m so happy you found the post inspirational, Melissa. It’s amazing how God uses one tiny memory to spark so many thoughts of Him. Thank you for sharing.
What a lovely picture you paint about our physical and spiritual thirst. While our lives will always need physical water, I’m so grateful our souls will never thirst again if we’ve drunk from the Spring of Living Water. Thanks for this refreshing reminder.
Lori, I love the way you expressed truth in your description. Thank you so much for commenting and adding value to our thoughts about God’s “Spring of Living Water.
I love everything about this! Thank you, Jeannie, for the ways you turn the ordinary into extraordinary as you tell us “another story about Jesus.”
Kimberlyn, I’m delighted you enjoyed the post. You are so kind to tell me. God is an expert at turning “the ordinary into extraordinary,” isn’t He? I started writing about our park experience, and as I was jotting ideas, God led me to His Word and the other points. He’s always willing to teach us and then allow us to share with others. I appreciate you!
Such a sweet day with your granddaughter, and how wonderful that she wanted more stories about Jesus! Thank you for the reminder that only Jesus can satisfy us with living water!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment, Kathy. I was excited that God showed me His truth while I thought about our fun adventures. You’re right–only Jesus can give us living water that satisfies.
A beautiful day with your granddaughter and an inspiring message for us. Now that I am a grandmother, I’m storing up treasured memories as well. Isn’t it amazing that we gain such wonderful lessons from life’s most simple actions? You worked hard in the hot weather and you were thirsty. I hope your message will continue to remind us of the “living water” that Jesus shares with us. The story of the women at the well is one of my favorites–a reminder that Jesus loves sinners (like me) with a love so abounding that we, too, are including in the plan of salvation.
Katherine, I’m glad you’re a member of the grandmother club.:) Isn’t it wonderful that God knows ways to teach us whether it be by watching a hummingbird fly or children play? Yes, I love those lessons from His Word and from daily life as you do. Thank you so much for enriching our day with your enthusiasm for God’s plans.
What a blessing for the little girl whose “face resembled a ripe tomato” to know you as Gigi and to receive the influence of Jesus through you. Love this Jeannie!
Thank you so much, Dawn, for reading and commenting. What joy to know God allows us to share His truths with children and adults alike. Our loving Father chooses to involve us in His work as we learn more of Him and His ways.
Jeannie,
I love this so much. It brought back wonderful childhood memories of singing “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”. And oh! To hear your grandchild say those words had to be thrilling. One day!!!
Debra, I remember that hymn, too. 🙂 Isn’t it exciting when God gives us opportunities to share His truths? Telling a Bible story to a child or sharing our personal testimony with someone we meet is a joy and privilege. Thank you for your comments. They mean a lot to me.
A beautiful journey to demonstrate that only Jesus can satisfy our thirst. How it thrilled your heart to hear your grandchild whisper, “Tell me another story about Jesus.” Long to hear those words, too.
Janis, I appreciate your comments so much. What joy is ours to share His truth. Let’s pray for more opportunities.
Jeannie, what an outstanding post about your granddaughter coupled with thirst, water, and Living Water. Well done, my friend! God has supernaturally gifted you with writing skills as well as observational insights. With writing, you captured in prose what many others simply observe. That’s a gift; way to use it!
Joe
Joe, thank you so much for reading and responding with encouraging words. I love the way God teaches me as I write and offers the blessing of sharing His truth with readers.
Jeannie, I love this post!
“Jesus satisfies the longings of our souls the moment we surrender to Him and throughout eternity.” Just a beautiful glimpse of God’s grace.
I also enjoyed the questions you included. The questions encouraged me to ponder: Am I truly thirsty for Jesus? Is my life proof of my thirst for Him or have I let life’s trials steal my thirst?
My heart melted as I pictured your granddaughter asking for you to tell her another story about Jesus… YES!! May we all thirst for more of Him 🙌🏻.
Dawn, your comments warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing your response and the questions you pondered.”Am I truly thirsty for Jesus? Is my life proof of my thirst for Him or have I let life’s trials steal my thirst?” You led us to think deeper. Thanks so much.
As I read your post, I thought of the college girl who made a profession of faith today and joined our church after choosing Jesus’ living water over Buddhism which was the religion of her original country. The peace and joy I saw on her face and the enormity of her decision for Christ really impacted me. It redirected my heart to feeling filled with living water and His peace. Thanks for your encouraging word pictures of our journey with Christ!
Donna, what joyous news to share! I wish I could have witnessed the peace and joy of Jesus on her face as you did. I’m praying for godly women to disciple her so that she can grow in Christ. Thank you for sharing this powerful testimony of the gospel’s power.