A Cup Of Cold Water

Each of us go through seasons of trial. Trials are like trudging through a desert. They could take the form of a serious illness, economic worries, or marital difficulties. Whatever the trial, however, the emotional and spiritual landscape is parched and there is little quality to life.

One thing I have noticed, however, is that we see God's hand in the small things that happen to us along these journeys. I call them God's cups of water. Our flesh wants the trial over NOW. We want God to bring us to the end of the journey immediately! We do not always understand why certain trials have to take so long. When we pray, He does not answer by ending the trial, but by offering small cups of water along the way. If we keep track of each glass, we soon begin to notice that the trial is not marked by its beginning or its end but by the cups of water along the way.

When we realize that each cup of cool water is actually a miracle of love from God, we can then take our eyes off of the big problem and begin to thank Him for the daily blessing.

Each glass of water offered to a weary traveler is a kindness. It may be an encouraging note or balloons at the hospital or a well timed visit during a busy day. Whatever form it takes, however, it is the cool water of grace that refreshes the soul of the person in need. God uses these to keep us alive long enough to get to the next blessing. So the reality is that each hardship is really a string of blessings linked together from beginning to end. That is why there is no good deed too small for any of us to overlook because that small grace might possibly be the very glass needed to keep a fellow traveler alive.
Blessings,
Father Scott +