How to Live a Well-Watered Life

By: Sarah Geringer

It's been a wet spring where I live in the Midwest. As a gardener, I'm enjoying the beauty of God's well-watered creation while it lasts, since summer is usually marked by drought. The tulips are marching in glorious procession, opening their faces to the sun. Their well-watered leaves and blossoms sing praises to God.

Maybe when you think about being well-watered, you think about self-care. So many of us women don't rest enough, piddle around enough, or pamper ourselves enough. Yes, most of us need more self-care to feel well-watered and productive. As important as this is, a chapter in Isaiah defines well-watered in a different way.

Turn to Isaiah 58 and slowly read those 14 verses. 

Here's how God tells us to live a well-watered life:

• Loosen the chains of injustice
• Set the oppressed free
• Share food with the hungry
• Provide wanderers with shelter
• Clothe the naked
• Minister to your own family
• Stop blaming and slandering others
• Honor the Sabbath

He promises if we do those things, we will be like well-watered gardens. We will find joy in the Lord. Our needs will be satisfied, and we will be strengthened and healed. 

God wants us to have well-watered hearts so we can minister to others. He will fill us up so we can pour love and kindness into the world.

Don't let this list intimidate you, friend. I have ideas for how we can seek these goals in creative ways.

Our well-watered hearts will pour God's love and kindness onto others.

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Like you, I'm busy with work, family, church, and my home. At this time in my life, I can't go on a mission trip, add an orphan to our family, or organize a fundraiser. But we don't have to do something big to make a giant difference in God's kingdom. Our small offerings count just as much.

Let's look at simple ideas for each of these points:

• Loosen the chains of injustice--give a monthly donation to foreign missions, like Mission India or Food for the Poor
• Set the oppressed free--Adopt a child from Compassion or World Vision
• Share food with the hungry--donate to your local food bank
• Provide wanderers with shelter--host a traveling family
• Clothe the naked--take a load of outgrown clothes to Salvation Army or the women's shelter
• Minister to your own family--cook a Sunday dinner together, play board games, or walk outside
• Stop blaming and slandering others--pray before speaking, and certainly before posting on social media
• Honor the Sabbath--slow it way, way down (and enjoy a book!)

Pray about which one of these points God wants to apply this week. Let your soul feel refreshed by His living waters as you participate in a new activity.

As a well-watered garden, you will be a source of life and peace for everyone around you.

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

Discussion questions:

1. Other than your church, which ministry do you support with time or money?
2. What practical step will you take today to minister more effectively to your family?