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At the Scent of Water

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8


Many years ago, Mom asked Dad if he’d plant a grapefruit seed from a grapefruit she’d eaten. Quite simply, she wanted to see what would happen.

A lot happened.


That little seed, diligently nurtured and watered by their faith, produced a tree several feet tall that provided ample shade and an abundance of plump, sweet grapefruit.


The effort to collect the fruit took ingenuity. One of my brothers climbed a stepladder and thrust the end of a garden hoe at the sagging limbs while I stood below, palms ready.

I captured several. Yay!

Some struck the pebbled patio. Splat!

One renegade fruit smacked me on the head after I’d misjudged its trajectory. Ow!


When a hard freeze hit Texas about this time last year, it took the life of Mom’s grapefruit tree. Efforts to revive it involved cutting it down to a stump.


For weeks, the stump sat unproductive.


Lifeless.


Hopeless.

Until a couple months ago when a little shoot with vibrant leaves appeared, bearing evidence the old roots had smelled water and drawn moisture from the soil.


When we place our trust in the Lord, we are like a tree that organically sniffs out the water of life, extends its roots, and prospers in His presence.


Heat of adversity will come in many forms, but when our confidence is in the Lord, we’ll produce green leaves


In the darkness of this fallen world, who needs to see the evidence of greenery in our lives?


In drought ... or hard freezes ... we’ll bear fruit.


Who in our sphere of influence might be spiritually malnourished, drawing from a pool of empty resources?


Looking for life in the lifeless, squeezing water from rocks.


In the midst of deep misery, Job distinguishes between the life of a human and a tree …


At least there is hope for a tree; if it is cut down, it will sprout again and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. Job 14:7-9


If a tree sniffs out water, we who know the Lord should do no less.


When our confidence in His love for us remains steadfast in hardship, we will bud anew at the scent of water.


Jesus.


Our Living water.


When life heats up—and it will—the world is watching.


When the thirsty and hopeless loll their empty gaze our direction, will they see leaves that never fail and a serene, calm demeanor?


Yes ... if we’ve placed our trust in the Lord in drought and intense heat.


Are you feeling spiritually dry? Are you abiding in Jesus? Have your leaves withered?


Send out your roots. Because blessings await those who trust in the Lord, respond to the scent of water, and drink large draughts of His life-giving nourishment.


Thanks for reading!


If you found today's post inspirational and know others who would benefit, please share.


Until next time,



✏️ Releasing in 2022: You Are the Reason, Book #1 in Heart of Moreland Manor #Felkinsfiction #inspirational #romance Keep an eye on social media for news on its release, promo images, book quotes. Once I have purchase links, I'll post those to my website. If you're interested in joining the Felkins Fiction Launch Team, sign up here.

✏️If you'd like to receive inspirational posts and/or quarterly author newsletter with bookish giveaways, subscribe here. You'll have the opportunity to download the first 3 chapters of Call to Love, my debut inspirational romance, for FREE!

Last month, I was a guest on The Daily Writer #podcast hosted by author Kent Sanders and discussed writing a fiction series. If you're a writer or creative anywhere along the spectrum and want practical tips and wisdom, this is a great resource!

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4 Comments


Katherine Pasour
Katherine Pasour
Feb 04, 2022

"Looking for life in the lifeless, squeezing water from rocks." This thought provoking statement caused me to reflect: "Where is the lifelessness in me? Am I allowing God to refresh me with living water?" Your go further, Mary, in challenging us to look, see, and listen to where we, as God's servants, can reach out to others who need to hear the message of God's great love. Your message inspires us to self-reflect on our own relationship with our Lord, while also going further in being a light of Jesus to spread His message to His children.

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Mary A. Felkins
Mary A. Felkins
Feb 05, 2022
Replying to

Great perspective! We really ought to be nurturing our relationship with Jesus and eager to share life giving water with the weary. But not unless we’re abiding in Him, drawing nourishment from Him. Otherwise, we have little to offer.

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J.D. Wininger
J.D. Wininger
Feb 04, 2022

Fighting through a winter storm here can cause one to start to lose patience, watch self-control start to wane, and feel frustration start to grow. Then, a simple prayer for peace and I am reminded of the hope of my salvation. All this is but a vapor (James), and will not even be measurable on the fabric of eternity. "... a momentary affliction." Thank you so much for this ultra-inspiring message Ms. Mary. You've lifted my spirits this day! #LookUp

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Mary A. Felkins
Mary A. Felkins
Feb 04, 2022
Replying to

Thinking back to the winter storm in Texas last year, I am reminded of the difficulty you dealt with, adding challenge to an already challenging homelife on the farm. The life you've chosen comes with many opportunities to cave to frustration or rise on the wings of faith. Lately, when things have been hard to bear here on this earth, I've found myself saying, "But then there's eternity." Because it is truly no more than a vapor. Grateful you found this message inspiring, JD!

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