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by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd
From her position, she could clearly see the forest next to the lake. It had thick undergrowth, tangled vines and a dark, menacing look. It reminded her of work. Further along the shoreline, she noticed a deer step out of the woods and wade into the beautiful water. As she watched, the deer drank to its heart content, then leaped back into the forest. Oh, if she could only get to the water, she would be satisfied, too. Two sandal-clad feet came into view. Looking up, Sarah recognized Jesus standing next to her. He sat down on a rock beside her and gently pointed his hand towards the water. "All I have I want to give you…but you focus on the world." Looking at her with compassion, He added, "Focus on Me (Jesus), so you can receive what I have to offer." "How?" Sarah questioned. "Come to Me when you get tired or frustrated. Come to Me when things are not going right. You don't need to wait until exhaustion has depleted you of all your strength. Let Me walk with you along the way. Let my words soothe you. Let my peace flow through you." With a big smile, Jesus added, " Let my joy be your strength." Tenderly, He reached out his hand to Sarah and said, "Come, let's take a walk around the lake." Grabbing onto His hand, Sarah found herself standing up. The exhaustion was gone. It was easy to walk alongside Jesus. "Part of the ground on this side of the lake is sandy. It slips and slides easily," Jesus explained as they walked through the sand. "Not many plants grow here and what does grow needs to be able to tolerate shifting sand." Sarah stopped for a moment to empty sand from her shoe. "How can you walk through sand wearing sandals?" she asked. Jesus laughed. "I have walked through sand many times." They came to an area with brown soil and green vegetation. Jesus stopped to point something out to her, "Rich soil touches the lake, too, but see how the roots of the various plants and trees hold it together so it doesn't slip into the water the way sand does. My Spirit holds things together, like these roots. My Spirit keeps the good soil from being washed away. My Spirit is also like the rich soil. It provides nourishment and allows the roots a place to grow so they can grow deep in Me." Looking at the massive intertwining roots at the water's edge Sarah asked with curiosity, "Can I try to pull out one of these large roots?" "You may try," Jesus answered with a twinkle in His eye. Sarah tugged away at a carrot sized root, twisting and pulling it in every direction. The root would not budge. "Too strong!" she replied, then rinsed dirt off her hands in the lake water. Jesus smiled, "I am the Living Water that soaks into the good soil. My Spirit (the good soil) is the nourishment that helps you (the plant) grow and keeps you on the right path. God the Father provides the elements - the sun, the rain, the good bacteria - and enables everything to work together to produce growth." Sarah pondered on these words as they walked on to an area where huge rocks butted against the lake. "These rocks are sturdy," Jesus said. It takes centuries to wear them down. But in time they, too, can be shaped, molded and made smooth. Do you want to be a rock?" "Yes," Sarah replied. "I would like to be a rock so when people step on me I won't feel a thing!" "What kind of rock would you like to be? One that stands firm? One that is resistant to change?" After thinking a moment, Sarah answered, "Probably a strong, solid rock that won't break." Looking tenderly at Sarah, Jesus replied, "A rock can be both good and bad. To stand firm in Me and in what you believe is good. But to be so set in your ways, so anchored to your task that the gentle water that brushes against you needs to forcefully pound away to get your attention is not good." Sarah frowned. "Cheer up, my child. The solution is easy. Let Me be your Rock." Jesus smiled. "I am firm and solid in what is right and good and flexible in love and compassion. Stand on Me. Don't try to be a rock, yourself. Let Me be your Rock. I will help you stand firm. My Spirit will protect you." "Then please be my Rock!" Sarah pleaded. A wooden bridge appeared up ahead where the lake tapered into a fast-running stream. "Even though the water is narrow here, it is too deep and the current is too strong to walk across. That's why there is a sturdy bridge to help you get from one side of the lake to the other. "I am the bridge. You cannot cross deep water without Me. You cannot get to the other side of the lake without Me. Don't worry. I am a strong, solid bridge. I won't let you fall into the rushing waters." Halfway across the bridge, Sarah stopped to gaze down at the swift-moving water. She watched a branch, that had been caught in the current, being forcefully dragged under the swirling, roaring waters. "I'm glad this bridge is strong," she whispered as the branch disappeared. After they finished crossing the bridge, Jesus suggested, "Feel the moss on this side of the lake. It is soft and gentle to the touch." Sarah had seen moss on various outdoor walks, but never took the time to touch it. Her fingers reached out to the fuzzy-looking plant that felt like a sponge. She gently pressed the moss against the ground and watched it bounce back again. "It looks delicate, but it's strong," she said with surprise. "Look at the ferns. Observe how peacefully they sway in the breeze." Sarah watched the graceful ferns calmly dance in the wind. She also noticed an abundance of wildlife. There were deer, chipmunks, birds, butterflies and fascinating insects. Everywhere she looked there was something to take delight in, something to be joyful about, something to lift her heavy spirit. "This is the side of the lake I want you to be on," Jesus said. "The other side is too burdensome for you. When you look at Me and come to Me, I will bring you to the correct side of the lake - where life is abundant, where peace abounds, where love flourishes, where joy is all around you, where praise to God fills the air. Come to Me often, so I can teach you how to live on the right side of the lake." Return to Relax by the Water This story can be purchased as a gift card to keep or send to friends. |
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