Rain at last, rain at last, coming down in sheets of gray across the pond, so low, and desperate for water.  Its edges once climbed the retaining wall, but now, dirt edges are exposed and blades of grass green with life, try to fill in its shallow core.

The fall, all crimson and gold, has been dry, requiring the pond to give up its resources to keep the plants on these nine acres alive.

Rhythmic raindrops strike the pond, entertaining me with synchronized dancing as the wind drives the drops first one way then the other; and, I’m hypnotized for a time.

Our pond, full of bass and brim, is in great need of replenishing.  Fish are more frequently coming to the surface for oxygen as their home shrinks.

Sometimes, I’m tired of being the parent of children and stepchildren.  I want to quit.  I want Doc to myself and to just go away to somewhere we can laugh.  A place where there is little responsibility, and no one is angry, or manipulating, or refusing to clean up after themselves.  I have given to others to the point I have little more to give.

It is time for me to refill my own pond waters – my own reservoir.  It can be so easy to put our own needs at the bottom of the list and as we continue to make sure everyone else has what they need to flourish, as our supply begins to dwindle down to our muddy soul showing, and the life in us is gasping for air.

“For as rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there with out watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be which goes forth from my mouth.” (Isaiah 55:11-12 NASB)

God does not want you to give to others to the point that there is nothing left but a muddy void.  Do not confuse this with dying to self.  Producing more than you fill will leave you dry and unproductive.  Like gas in the car, Sister, at some point you need a refill before you go any further.  And pushing until the tank is empty is going to leave you on the side of the road, praying someone will answer the phone and rescue you!

God does not mean for us to live a dry existance, bearing no fruit.  He intends for us to have lives that are well nourished, growing from the seed that was planted in us years ago and becoming like the bread of life to those around us.  God satisfies our souls as we seek Him in his Word and in praises to Him!

“ My soul is satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.” (Psalms 63:5 NASB)

God wants us to dwell in the fullness of the Christian life.  Anyone who does not live life in the fullness that God provides to us is missing out on the greatest secret of life.

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:10-11 NASB–emphases added)

As we abide in His Word, as God instructs, we are filled.  The word that describes “full” talks about being filled like a scent fills a room.  It fills every nook and cranny of the room.  It seeps into the walls, and the curtains and the furniture.  There is no place that the scent will not go.

And now, His love for me covers me like rain on the pond, like the little drops on the roses and azalea bushes drenching each petal, each leaf, and soaking down deep in the ground to nourish the roots.  I am renewed and ready, once again to step to in front of this family.  This mission field; and, I allow them all to stand in the puddles of the overflow from the soaking I have received from His Word.

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Diane W. Bailey

Diane W. Bailey is the founder of The Consilium – an online community of wisdom and purpose for women over 45 years of age. She is a published author. Her books include String of Pearls – From Tears to Treasure, and 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. She creates her own line of precious metals bracelets. Diane lives in the Deep South with her husband Doc. Together they have created a stepfamily, each having two stepchildren and two birth children, and share three grandchildren, one black lab named Charlie and one long haired tabby cat named Lil Girl. Diane’s passion is to encourage women to be all God has created them to be by pressing past fear and daring to live life as an adventure. Some of her life adventures include traveling to Israel, speaking, entrepreneurship and backyard farming with Doc. She loves Gumbo, fried shrimp and seeing all sunsets across water.

Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)

• What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
• When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
• Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017

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