Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend to you! I plan to do food prep and try a new chicken dish today’ Later Al and I are getting haircuts and then hope to read most of a great book that came yesterday!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Recently I read from Psalm 63, written when David was hiding out from his enemy in the wilderness of Judah. He expresses to the Lord how much He needs Him and his inmost being thirsts for Him. How many of us have been truly thirsty for God as David expresses in Ps. 63:1? “O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.”

There have been a few times in my life when I was really thirsting, like in the mountains when my mouth felt parched but there was no water available. I didn’t think of a hamburger or hotdog, but just a cool glass of water. Water is not only essential to people, but also to animals, plants, trees, etc. I read that a tree is 80% sap which is mostly water, but also is full of minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins and proteins that circulate to feed the tree. Trees are watered through their roots with dew, clouds, fog, mist, rain and snow. They do not hoard the moisture, but after it circulates, it is released into the surrounding air, emitting a fragrance when combined with oxygen.

We can learn lessons through nature, and the tree speaks to us that we must be well-watered in the Word and His Spirit if we are going to bless others. If we are dry and empty, we will have nothing to give out, for we are all shriveled. But when we drink deeply of God’s Word, it will speak to us and permeate us with His love, joy and peace. Let us not be shriveled, but overflowing and giving off His fragrance to those around us. When Al and I went to a Christian community in Wisconsin, it was as if the whole forest was filled with a lovely fragrance!

Challenge for today: Spend time becoming deeply rooted in the Word, so full of Jesus that you are a sweet fragrance that draws others to Him.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy