restore.

she panted for water. the lack of moisture her body took it's slow toll on the girl, taking away her vitality first, then her energy, and then her hope for replenishing. she had no friend to offer her water, no person by her side to give her a respite. all had left. all were giving their water to others, too preoccupied to hear her pleas. desperate, she searched from place to place, looking for liquid to break the drought. all other drinks were refreshing for an instant and then, from sips to gulps, left her even more thirsty. her body too tired to cary on and her throat too desiccated to cry out, the shadow of a girl slowed to a crawl. her despair overtook her, dry sobs wracked her body. through the exhaustion, she lifted her head up one last time, past the point of worrying who came, just wanting some relief. she strained her eyes, desperate to believe there was still someone who could help, who could revive her.

she remembered a day when she had her fill of water. she could remember what it felt like to drink, to have her full, and to have that source carry her through the day. she longed for that feeling again, she lifted silent pleas-begging for someone to break through the haze with relief, and managed one word, "please." in that moment, she saw a figure. for the first time since the drought, she had hope it could break. the figure walked to her, with assurance and ease, as though he was already waiting, already planning on being there. her chapped lips tried to form words, but none could make it past her dry throat. she was too weak to speak, yet she managed to lift her arms. she pushed herself clumsily to her feet, stumbled, and then began to run towards the figure. a run could not get her there fast enough, the ghost of a girl sprinted towards the man with the last of her energy.

with nothing left in her, she collapsed blindly into his arms. the embrace was comforting, familiar and steady. she was lifted off her feet and carried to a place of rest. he reached to his side and pulled up a cup of water, pouring it into the drained girl's mouth. her eyes sprang open, her heart beat a little less faint. the girls thoughts started to arrange themselves and she drank deeply. she could not remember a time when water was so sweet. her body was replenished, and all she could do was weep with joy and gratitude. she looked at the man who had carried her from the desert. "how did you know i was there? why did you save me? who sent you?" the questions sprang from her ceaselessly.

smiling, he took her hand. "i was always there, my beloved. all you had to do was look to me. i will never leave, i always have more. all you need to do is ask." with that, her heart was full. the joy welled up inside her and her laughter could not be contained. she thanked him with everything she had, and felt something hit her hand. she looked down in surprise, then turned her eyes towards the heavens. raindrop after raindrop came tumbling down to the earth, bringing life and restoration to the desert. the girl got to her feet, pulled the man up with her, and danced her heart's smile with him in the pouring rain. and she was not left wanting.

John 4:1-14

Matthew 7:8

Psalm 30:11-12

faithful

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a Great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure Water. Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised, For,

"In just a little while,

He who is coming will come and will not delay"

And

"But my righteous ones will live by faith.

And I take no pleasure in the ones who shrinks back."

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Hebrews 10: 19-23, 35-39

unswerving hope. confidence. faith. patience to wait for His completion of promises.

this went straight past all the walls i have built up and right to my heart. He knows. He understands that i want answers, that i want action. my Lord sees my whole heart, He sees the desires there. He knows how much i miss people, how hard it is to sacrifice, He is aware that i am impatient and lack confidence at times. and He understands how much i needed this today.

i don't always understand why i was supposed let go of someone i miss daily, but He is faithful. i don't know why doctors keep on giving frustrating dead ends, but He is faithful. i have no clue what i'm doing with the rest of my life, but He is faithful. i don't understand what my purpose is at rudder some days,where i fit in that ministry, who im called to love and why i dont seem to have it right, but my Savior is faithful. my full assurance is in my God, my confidence is in Him. He will be faithful.

so i wont shrink back. i wont be watered down and walked over. i wont be talked down and have my passion calmed. i wont stop taking risks and walking out on that ledge. because i trust His grace to cover me, His greatness to pull through, and His love to carry me.

my God is faithful, He will come through in ways greater than i can imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzJH4YeqfuQ