When anyone builds a house in the country, one of the first things to explore is the water supply. I found out that the community of Poetry was serviced by a co-op water supply; and if I wanted water for our house, I would have to pay a sizable initial fee to become a member of the co-op in addition to the monthly cost of the water. Poetry purchased its water from the City of Terrell, and at the time the co-op was almost maxed out, but I was able to squeak in at number 823. Even though I had to pay the expense to run an additional water line to my property from another county road, I felt fortunate that we could tie on to the main water line. The Poetry Water Co-op has since increased its volume and many others are now members. But I learned that water is precious and it is also costly. Because of the expense of community water, decisions had to be made about how much water we could afford to use on our farm for all of our needs.
My neighbor told me that well water was available and plenteous in our area. After several inquiries, I learned that there was a vast supply of water in the aquifer below ground in this area of Northeast Texas. So I decided to supply our house with the co-op water, and dig a well to supply all our outside needs – lawn, trees, garden, shrubs, and fruit trees. Wade’s Water Well Service dug our well and we found water at 110 ft. that produced 12 GPM. Trying to anticipate our needs from this well for years to come was a little difficult; but we began to run PVC water lines (1500 ft. of them) underground all over our property. I think I installed12 water spigots in various places so we could secure water at any area of need. So far, everything for which we have needed well water lies within the reach of one of the spigots. Water is indeed precious, yet necessary for all living things, and I am thankful that we were able to dig a well and find an abundant water supply for our farm.
When Mr. Wade dug our well, I remember that I was right there watching the whole process. We visited a bit while the job was in progress, and it wasn’t long before the discussion turned to things spiritual. He gave me his business card and at the top was a small cross with the name Marc beside it. He explained it was there to remind him of his son, whom he had lost a few years previously. The location of the name and cross were strategic to him for he knew that his son was in heaven with the Lord because his son had claimed Jesus as his Savior. Further, Mr. Wade told me he dug wells, not only in memory of his son, but also because Jesus had given him the same living water described in John 4:1-42. It is always good to talk with people about the Lord. We talked about the events in John 4 that describes the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, a topic that is dear to many people. In fact, many popular Christian songs, including Fill My Cup, Lord, have been inspired from this scripture.
As one reads this beautiful story in John 4, it is interesting to notice how the Samaritan woman’s knowledge of Jesus increased until she acknowledged that He was the Christ. First she simply knew Him as a Jew. John heightens this point in the story of their meeting when the woman said to Jesus, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans) Jn. 4:9” Of course, we know that his request for a drink was to open the conversation and share with her the truth about “living water.” At first she was totally ignorant of Him, what He had to offer, and how she could receive it, but his words to her aroused her interest, so she pursued the conversation. Second, she misinterpreted His words about living water to mean literal water. She seemed willing to acknowledge that Jesus was greater than the patriarch Jacob (4:12), and asked for this gift of living water, but she did not understand what she was saying – much like the seed which falls on the shallow soil. The shoots spring up but have no root (Matt. 13:20-21). So, Jesus continues to patiently deal with her. Third, she acknowledged that Jesus was a prophet when he talked of her marital status – or lack thereof (4:19). With that she attempted to detour the discussion to which mountain true worship occurs. It is always much more comfortable to discuss religion that to face one’s sins! Jesus made it clear, however, that all religions are not equally acceptable before God. The only faith that God will accept comes through the Jews. Scripture is of Jewish origin, Jesus was a Jew. The first Christians were Jews. That is why Jesus said, “Salvation is from the Jews” (4:22). Finally, the woman seemingly had some understanding that the Messiah would come and explain everything one day. When Jesus said, “I who speak to you am He” (4:26), she put her faith in Jesus Christ and was converted. Immediately she wanted to share her faith with others, so she went into the village and told everyone she had met the Christ. Even though this woman at the well did not come to faith immediately, Jesus was patient with her – a good example for us in our own personal work. The Lord used an unlikely prospect for salvation to win an entire village.
What a beautiful Biblical story, and what a beautiful way that Mr. Wade has internalized and applied this story in his life. He digs wells as an occupation, he shows his business card, and he talks about living water. He literally can say to his customers, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the living water that (Jesus) gives will never thirst. Indeed, the living water (Jesus) gives him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (4:13-14).It’s a good lesson for all of us. We start where we are. The woman from Sychar did. Many of the Samaritans believed because of her testimony, and many more believed when they heard Jesus personally. It’s important for new converts to be well grounded in the Word. The villagers began their spiritual walk by believing what the woman said, but soon they learned to trust the Word of the Savior. They knew they were saved because they believed His message directly. Their testimony to the woman was powerful, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the World” (4:42). Can you say that? I’m sure glad Mr. Wade dug my well.
When anyone builds a house in the country, one of the first things to explore is the water supply. I found out that the community of Poetry was serviced by a co-op water supply; and if I wanted water for our house, I would have to pay a sizable initial fee to become a member of the co-op in addition to the monthly cost of the water. Poetry purchased its water from the City of Terrell, and at the time the co-op was almost maxed out, but I was able to squeak in at number 823. Even though I had to pay the expense to run an additional water line to my property from another county road, I felt fortunate that we could tie on to the main water line. The Poetry Water Co-op has since increased its volume and many others are now members. But I learned that water is precious and it is also costly. Because of the expense of community water, decisions had to be made about how much water we could afford to use on our farm for all of our needs.
My neighbor told me that well water was available and plenteous in our area. After several inquiries, I learned that there was a vast supply of water in the aquifer below ground in this area of Northeast Texas. So I decided to supply our house with the co-op water, and dig a well to supply all our outside needs – lawn, trees, garden, shrubs, and fruit trees. Wade’s Water Well Service dug our well and we found water at 110 ft. that produced 12 GPM. Trying to anticipate our needs from this well for years to come was a little difficult; but we began to run PVC water lines (1500 ft. of them) underground all over our property. I think I installed12 water spigots in various places so we could secure water at any area of need. So far, everything for which we have needed well water lies within the reach of one of the spigots. Water is indeed precious, yet necessary for all living things, and I am thankful that we were able to dig a well and find an abundant water supply for our farm.
When Mr. Wade dug our well, I remember that I was right there watching the whole process. We visited a bit while the job was in progress, and it wasn’t long before the discussion turned to things spiritual. He gave me his business card and at the top was a small cross with the name Marc beside it. He explained it was there to remind him of his son, whom he had lost a few years previously. The location of the name and cross were strategic to him for he knew that his son was in heaven with the Lord because his son had claimed Jesus as his Savior. Further, Mr. Wade told me he dug wells, not only in memory of his son, but also because Jesus had given him the same living water described in John 4:1-42. It is always good to talk with people about the Lord. We talked about the events in John 4 that describes the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, a topic that is dear to many people. In fact, many popular Christian songs, including Fill My Cup, Lord, have been inspired from this scripture.
As one reads this beautiful story in John 4, it is interesting to notice how the Samaritan woman’s knowledge of Jesus increased until she acknowledged that He was the Christ. First she simply knew Him as a Jew. John heightens this point in the story of their meeting when the woman said to Jesus, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans) Jn. 4:9” Of course, we know that his request for a drink was to open the conversation and share with her the truth about “living water.” At first she was totally ignorant of Him, what He had to offer, and how she could receive it, but his words to her aroused her interest, so she pursued the conversation. Second, she misinterpreted His words about living water to mean literal water. She seemed willing to acknowledge that Jesus was greater than the patriarch Jacob (4:12), and asked for this gift of living water, but she did not understand what she was saying – much like the seed which falls on the shallow soil. The shoots spring up but have no root (Matt. 13:20-21). So, Jesus continues to patiently deal with her. Third, she acknowledged that Jesus was a prophet when he talked of her marital status – or lack thereof (4:19). With that she attempted to detour the discussion to which mountain true worship occurs. It is always much more comfortable to discuss religion that to face one’s sins! Jesus made it clear, however, that all religions are not equally acceptable before God. The only faith that God will accept comes through the Jews. Scripture is of Jewish origin, Jesus was a Jew. The first Christians were Jews. That is why Jesus said, “Salvation is from the Jews” (4:22). Finally, the woman seemingly had some understanding that the Messiah would come and explain everything one day. When Jesus said, “I who speak to you am He” (4:26), she put her faith in Jesus Christ and was converted. Immediately she wanted to share her faith with others, so she went into the village and told everyone she had met the Christ. Even though this woman at the well did not come to faith immediately, Jesus was patient with her – a good example for us in our own personal work. The Lord used an unlikely prospect for salvation to win an entire village.
What a beautiful Biblical story, and what a beautiful way that Mr. Wade has internalized and applied this story in his life. He digs wells as an occupation, he shows his business card, and he talks about living water. He literally can say to his customers, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the living water that (Jesus) gives will never thirst. Indeed, the living water (Jesus) gives him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (4:13-14).It’s a good lesson for all of us. We start where we are. The woman from Sychar did. Many of the Samaritans believed because of her testimony, and many more believed when they heard Jesus personally. It’s important for new converts to be well grounded in the Word. The villagers began their spiritual walk by believing what the woman said, but soon they learned to trust the Word of the Savior. They knew they were saved because they believed His message directly. Their testimony to the woman was powerful, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the World” (4:42). Can you say that? I’m sure glad Mr. Wade dug my well.