Panting...

Sunday, I thought I was going to DIEEEEEEE if I didnt get something to drink.  It was late & I had been running all day long.  Up & out at 7:45 am to head to church, practiced singing with the Worship Band, then sang through two services, taught the Jr. High youth, so that involved alot of talking (which I'm good at!) - then we had a youth meeting - then off to lunch with my buddy Ryan & some fun talks (more talking!  I'm telling you - I'm good at it!) - then we had our church's 175 +1 celebration that revolved around the 80's!  Oh - I've got pictures coming!  But that event was so much fun!  I dont think I've laughed that hard in a LONG time - & of course, I talked alot...

So I get back into my house at 9:45 & I'm PARCHED.  I literally downed a can of Diet Coke in like 5.7 seconds!  Well, maybe not that fast, but I bet you it was less then 2 minutes.  Then I pull out another one - down it!  I'm telling you - I'm chugging!  Then I get another one!  It was like I couldnt get enough to drink... my poor throat was yelling "SOOTHE ME"!!!

Have you ever been that thirsty?  Isnt that a horrible feeling?  I know working out makes me just crave water - yes, water! - not Diet Coke! 

I had to laugh at how cool God is though because my scripture reading for the day yesterday was Psalm 42... & the first words,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. -Psalms 42:1-2

I've heard this verse before & never really put a lot of thought into it... I love God's timing of showing me how my thirst was consuming me the night before & how I was doing everything I could to quench it.  This verse became alot clearer.

Then, me, being a word nerd (along with a knit nerd & a number nerd, & all the other "nerd" things in my life) - I looked up what "pant" meant.... here's some of the definitions:
*Breath noisly, as when one is exhausted
*To Gasp; a short labored breath
*To long for (something); to be eager for (something)

AHHH.... yes!  Exhausted - being labored - to long for something...

Yep... those are all the things I am without God in my life or when I put other things before Him...

So next time I'm DYING for something to quench my thirst, I think I'm going to remember that verse & thank God that He is the Living Water to ease my exhaustion - to ease that labored breathing ...& to fulfill all that I long for!