to stave off thirst

St Augustine speaks right into our lives today in A Year with the Church Fathers.

He tells us that we're not in our own country right now. We're in training, he says, and we'll be home before long. But until then, we're wandering (but not lost) like the children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years.

It's hot here in the desert, isn't it? And it's hard. The road is long and it isn't always fun. Some of us (many of you reading this) are pretty tired. We've been walking this road for years, and even though He's been faithful, it hasn't really gotten much easier. For some of us, it's gotten harder. Some of us are really struggling under the loads we're carrying. We could use some relief.

And that's exactly what St Augustine offers in today's reading. He offers us a drink of refreshing water. The kind of water that puts a spring (see what I did there?) back into our step. The little "pick me up" that we're really pretty desperate for right now.

What kind of drink is it? Well, "fountains of love" sounds like a cheesy 70's band. But it really is what God offers us through the words of St Augustine today. He offers us fountains of love that will not only give us a refreshing sip, but will well up within us, turning US into springs of that love. And when that love flows out of us, it will become a source of revival and refreshment for those in our lives.

God doesn't promise us that the road will be easy. But He does promise to walk it with us. And to give us refreshment along the way. If you need that refreshment today (and I certainly do), just ask Him. He really wants to give it to you... and to make you into a spring of living water for those in your life.

Thank You, God, for the fountains of refreshment that You provide for us along life's journey.