“Aren’t you glad the Lanes cleaned out their pond and decided they didn’t want these big gold fish anymore?”
“‘Yes, I think they are so pretty.” The two little girls walked along the gravel road carrying a bucket between them, that spilled over a bit now and then.
“Where are we going to put them, though?”
“Daddy said we could keep them in the water trough, since we don’t have a real pond.”
It was over a mile to walk back home, and before long Beth sighed, “My, this is getting heavy; I hardly think you’re lifting at all.”
“Yes, I am,” defended Ginger, “but it seems like you’re pressing down.” At last they reached home with their burden and called Mother to come and watch the fish swimming around.
“That whitish one is the grandfather of them all,” Beth explained, quite proud of their new fish family that were now exploring the lengths of the trough which was to be their new home. “I hope there will be some tiny baby fish in there some day too,” exclaimed Ginger.
The summer rolled around, and though they watched them with interest, no little gold fish appeared. Something else was happening.
Day after day the weather was very hot and dry. “Let’s run under the sprinkler to cool off,” said Beth one afternoon. But though she turned the faucet open full force, the water just trickled out. Beth remembered the troubled expression on Daddy’s face when he remarked quietly to Mother some time before, that he was afraid the well was going dry.
“Emergency” — that’s what mother called it, and every drop of water must be utilized! Those were big words, but somehow everyone understood. It was not until later however, when Beth noticed the cattle bawling restlessly around the water trough, that she suddenly thought of the gold fish. Alarm lent wings to her feet as she ran to look at them. There they were, gasping and floundering in a little muddy puddle in the bottom of the trough! Away she flew to get a bucket, and in her consternation wasted precious moments turning on a faucet that only released a few drops and quit.
“Oh, Mother, where can I get some water. My fish are dying!”
Mother quickly emptied several jars full that she had stored away in the refrigerator for drinking purposes early that morning. “Oh, thanks!” and away Beth dashed back outside to the trough. Just in time too. She scooped the poor fish into the cool clean water, and watched them revive. The cows mooed and milled around, and her favorite horse came running eagerly toward her. She was sure Beth would understand, and give her a drink. They were so thirsty! But she had none to give them.
She too wanted a drink—she couldn’t remember ever being so thirsty before. And Daddy wouldn’t be in with the truck to haul water until chore time. She looked out over the spring wheat fields that already were turning yellow from drought, and thought sadly, “Water — oh, how we need water.”
Have you ever drunk of the water of life? This is the water Christ gives to thirsty souls. It is a well springing up into life everlasting. He that drinks of it shall never thirst again!
The Word of God tells us of this water of life. It reveals to us the Lord Jesus who came to earth to save us by laying down His own life for our sins that we might live. He only can cleanse and pardon our sins and make us clean and fit for the Father’s Home in heaven. Are you not thirsty for this wonderful water of life?
It will never fail you. It will never go dry like the wells and streams of this earth. You may drink and drink again; and the more you drink, the more you will learn of Him and His fathomless love. You don’t have to be afraid to drink of it — it is pure. You don’t have to wait for it, as these poor creatures did. It is freely given of God.
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” John 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37).
Though just a little girl, Beth had already tasted of the disappointments of earth. She found that the things of the world cannot fill and satisfy the heart, and she had turned to the only One who can give lasting peace and joy. He is the Source and Fountain. “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isa. 12:33Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3).
ML 07/15/1956