When Dry is wet and wet is dry

When Dry is Wet, and Wet is Dry The stores were all closed by the time we made it up the hill and settled into the Retreat Center. That meant no water for me. After traveling for 17 hours, I was thirsty. After walking up the hill with all the bags I  was parched. After bread and fried plantains for dinner, my mouth was a desert. All I wanted was water. All I could think about was water. But there was none to be had for at least another 13 hours. I LONGED for water. "As a deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after you." kept running thru my mind.  I've wanted some things before in life, so much so that they have invaded and consumed my thoughts. I've even desired connection with God like that, but not every day. Sometimes when I am praying, or reading my Bible or devotional, I am thinking, ok, get this done with so I can begin my day. Or worries and thoughts of the day keep creeping into my mind and I am only partially connected with  my Lord.  God provided a drink for me in an unusual way. Before I left the plane, I asked the flight attendant if I could have a bottle of something to take with me. She gladly obliged and I walked away with a ginger ale; a Canada Dry. My intention was to give it to my traveling companion, Corneil, because I knew that he wouldn't have eaten or drank all day. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to offer it to him, it was not only not cold... It was hot. He politely declined the offer, stating that if it were cold, he would drink it. So it came to the Retreat Center with me. This is how Dry became wet. But you know, it didn't satisfy like water does. It didn't feel like rain in the desert of my mouth. But it did offer liquid to my cells. How many times, in searching for something to quench that other thirst in me do I settle for something less than what is best? I chose chocolate, or a friendship, or a TV show to be my water. It isn't water. It isn't the living water that I need and it doesn't satisfy. This is when wet is dry. The next day, at about 10:00 in the morning, I finally had some water. It was good. Real good. I was satisfied. God, each day I want to long for you like I longed for that water. I want to desire Your Word, Your voice and Your wisdom above all else. Help me always to choose your living water, and not some substitute. I know that you satisfy. Thank you, Father.