THANKFUL

“Searching for Water”

My wife, Mrs. Aggie, handed me her list. “Kroger should have everything.”

“Okay, babe.” I quickly eyeballed the list. “See ya next week. . . I hope.” Going to the super Kroger near our home reminded me of the Lewis and Clark expedition of the new frontier. They explored the wilderness for years looking for stuff.

“Be sure to get the coconut water. And make sure it’s organic,” she added emphatically. “I sent you a picture on your phone.”

“Yes, dear.” She probably heard me mumbling under my breath about what the heck is coconut water. Everyone, including your humble Aggie scribe, has heard of coconut milk, but coconut water? And organic? What does an organic coconut look like anyway? Do organic coconuts wear head beads? Perhaps I should look for a “Coexist” sticker plastered on the end? Look for a coconut with a built-in water filter? Will the label identify the coconut as farm raised, or grass-fed? Free-range organic coconut?

I found almost everything on Mrs. Aggie’s wish-list with no problems. Every item on the list was checked off except one: coconut water. And if I knew what was good for me, I’d better not come home with just any ordinary coconut water. It had to be organic. Kroger advertises they stock everything from canned goods to used auto parts to Cleveland Browns head coaches. Lewis and Clark would have had trouble finding water here.

“Am I just wandering in circles,” I thought, as I navigated through the maze of aisles. Finally, I struck water, so to speak. As I stood in the middle of the water aisle, I looked to my left, and then to my right. The aisle disappeared over the horizon. As far as the eye could see, the shelves bulged with different sizes and colors of bottled water. Cases of drinking water were stacked higher than Lebron James could reach even if he were standing on a ladder. “Where do I start?” I thought. Is this how Moses felt, standing before the Red Sea, staring at the water? Did his jaw hit the ground when he raised his staff and the waters parted? Maybe if I held up my cell phone, all the waters would fall off the shelves except for the organic coconut water. Then again, maybe not.

My hatred for all things coconut, even coconut pie, increased. When I realized this search could take some time, I regretted not bringing a change of clothing.

“Did you forget about Me?”

“Oh, hi Jesus,” embarrassed He had to remind me of His presence.

“I’m here to help you in all things, even searching for water,” the Holy Spirit said. “Remember what Mark wrote in his Gospel, ‘There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light’” (Mark 4:22). So, I threw up a simple prayer, “Lord, lead me to this organic coconut water thingy.”

I didn’t take two steps before God answered my prayer. Stacked on the shelf before me, at eye level, were the bottles of coconut water like pictured on my phone. Wow! Stamped in bold red letters in the middle of the carton, the word ORGANIC stood out. I smiled and gently shook my head. “God, You are so good!” Years ago, we sang a hymn, “I stand, I stand in awe of You . . .” Shoppers must have thought I was in a drug-induced trance, with this weird smile, staring at coconut water, singing about Jesus. How amazing. God led me straight to what I was looking for.

It’s true. God cares about all things happening in our life, big or small. He asks to be a part of all we do, whether it’s grocery shopping, performing our jobs, raising children (we really need help here), serving in church. God desires we allow His Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways, even the way to organic coconut water. How many times have I neglected to ask the Holy Spirit, this great power God places within every Christ-follower, to help me?

“Did you get everything?” my queen asked as I walked in. “Even the coconut water?”

“Sure ’nough, girl. You know you can always count on me.”

“Are you gonna tell her?” the Holy Spirit said.

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“Lord, may I always call on the Holy Spirit’s help. You know how clueless I am, often not aware of the blessings around me. Open my eyes to see You working for my good. I trust in Your power, Jesus. Amen.”

Stay close to Jesus,

Jimmy

P.S. “For an Aggie, you did good,” Mrs. Aggie patted my head. “I see this is cage-free coconut water.”

© Jimmy Eskew 2018