Radium Hot Springs was a spot we will never forget, a true highlight of our
summer vacation (See Radium Hot Springs). Besides supplying us with sunshine in
the midst of three days of pouring rain, the body-temperature water with its
backdrop of breathtaking Canadian Rocky beauty provided the rest and relaxation
we needed after two long weeks on the road.
I could have stayed forever, but we couldn't. I needed to pick up my wife from
the conference she was attending back in Banff, and since Banff was two hours
away, it was with reluctance that I called out the "30 minute" warning to my
boys. From time to time during the afternoon, I had submerged myself completely
under the water, letting my body drift until I was forced to breathe. Now, with
every part of my being screaming to stay in this place forever, this is how I
decided to spend the last half hour: completely under water!
When it was finally time to leave, I unenthusiastically crawled out of the pool.
That's when the first wave of dizziness hit me, and I had to wait several
minutes before I could walk. Even then, my steps were far from straight. It
didn't help that I couldn't find my towel. After searching for several minutes,
my swimming head finally wrapped itself around the idea that someone had
obviously needed it more than I.
Leaning heavily against the wall, I stood there confused, faint, not knowing
what to do. I eventually recovered my wits enough to tell my boys to go into the
change room. I followed them, after a fashion, and then I slumped into a private
booth and collapsed onto the bench. Waves of dizziness continued to roll over
me, and I realized that I was having problems breathing as well.
"Is this my time to leave this earth?" I wondered.
"Not yet!" Was the response of my Forever Friend.
"Then why am I feeling like a lobster contemplating the boiling water?"
"You need to drink!"
All of a sudden I realized that I had remained more than 5 hours at this spa
without drinking even one tiny sip of water! Normally I drink at least 2 liters
of water a day, but today, totally surrounded by H20, I had completely forgotten
to drink!
It took me more than half an hour to get dressed. It was only with the help of
my boys that I climbed up the stairs and ordered drinks for everyone. I then
proceeded to drink three 750 ml bottles of Root Beer. Only then did I begin to
feel better. But now I had another problem. I felt like I had a "Root" Beer
Belly. In fact, I felt like I could compete with any pregnant woman!
"We better get out of here," I said, though somewhat reluctantly, and as we
climbed into the van, we promised ourselves we would be back some day. But next
time, we would bring plenty of water. We wouldn't let the spa dehydrate us
again!
Too often in life we neglect the most essential things, and this neglect results
in negative consequences. Life is hectic, it is true, but life should not
dominate our every step or cause us to neglect our true priorities.
It is sad that in a world where we can communicate so easily from one side of
the globe to the other, we have forgotten the importance of spending quality
time with the ones who are close to us. Strangers among strangers, we commute
from one place to another, living with estranged families, without a clue of
what they might be going through. I find so many teenagers angry at their
parents. Why? Parents have no time for their own kids. Divorce is on the rise as
well. Why? The two "lovers" have become estranged from one another and are
living like complete strangers. Crime is increasing, and one of the reasons is
that no one takes time to know one another. All the while, God, our Father,
stands to the side, waiting patiently. His hunger? To develop a personal
relationship with His children.
Let's find the time to answer God's knock on our hearts: "Here I am! I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in
and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20 NIV). Jesus wants to be our friend.
We may no long have a clue how to develop lasting relationships, but if we give
the time to Jesus, He will teach us. Broken marriages can be restored.
Purposeless and defiant teenagers can find meaning once again by embracing
parents who are willing to make a difference in their lives. The stress of life
can be replaced with love.
Remember: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of
these is love." (1 Cor 13:13 NIV) But this can only happen if we give our
priority to the One who can and will restore our life: "For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV); and "I have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
Will you let Him into your life today? Will you let Him change it around for the
good of those you used to care about?
"I am thirsty!"
Come and drink and be never thirsty again! "If anyone is thirsty, let him come
to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of
living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38 NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.