A Drink of Water

As I approached mile eight this weekend I had a choice to make...do I continue to push and try to do 10, or do I stop content that I completed eight fifteen-minute miles? My left calf was threatening to cramp and I was starting to come to the determination that I was dehydrating. However, I also realized that I was in a pretty good rhythm, so I continued.

After completing 10 miles, I walked for a couple of minutes to cool down. My calf was worsening and I knew I needed to get some water in me. I had a couple of bottles of water in the car, so when I got back to them I downed both of them quickly. I was glad to have that drink, and I considered our brothers and sisters in Africa that cannot get water so easily. Upon thinking about them, this fundraising effort, and the awesome things that we're funding, I was glad that I did those extra two miles. I also understood how blessed we are in that clean, refreshing water is rarely far away.

Fast forward to this morning at church. It was announced that we've met our fundraising goal and that in all likelihood any additional funds will be used somewhere else where the need is also great. This pleased me to know that not only will our "adopted" community be helped, but so will others. Then, our pastor used a visual about how our fundraising effort was literally giving the people of Katito, Kenya and elsewhere a glass of clean water. He then quoted this verse from Matthew 25:

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I take great pride in that we are doing this for the least of these. I sincerely believe that we've been blessed with so much (like bottles of water available everywhere) with the understanding that we are also responsible for so much - like being a blessing to others. This running and fundraising effort is just one small way we can make a difference. By giving to others out of our time, talents, or treasure, we honor the gifts that God has given us.

And, when we do for the least of these, we do for Him.

(((( To help with this effort and to provide a clean drink of water to someone who so desperately needs one, please click here ))))

Thanks, and God Bless.

Scott