Cool Water on a Summer Day
Dear Family and Friends of The Neighborhood Church,
I came home from work last evening to a small fountain of water, gushing up in the front of my yard. It was a fountain—a churning caldron of clean and cool water. And it was bubbling up and flowing down my driveway and into the curbside gutter, and towards the canyon behind our house via a rivulet of sorts in my side yard. I immediately thought: Who do I call about this? What can be done? How wasteful, all this cool water flowing aimlessly away from any use or purpose!
The Homeowners Association seems to be in no hurry to repair it, though an emergency work order was issued for a plumber last night. And the water company will not touch it, since it is regarded a private water line as it falls within a gated community. It is pouring out still this morning as a write this note—an awful waste.
It seems no small coincidence that this coming Sunday’s Gospel text, the end of Jesus “discipleship” instructions according to the 10th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, speaks to us about water—a cup of cold water, given as a sign of hospitality to those wandering about in God’s marvelous world. Just a cup of water…just this small thing, as a sign that you care, a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
And I began to wonder: Just how much of the water that we have to offer others whom we encounter on this path of life is wasted? Just flows up and out and pours down the street and into the canyon…wasted. What if I began to look for opportunities to share a simple cup of “water” to which I have access, literally or figuratively, with those I encounter along life’s way each day? Just a simple extension of kindness, caring, validation. As simple as looking someone in the eye when you introduce yourself…sharing your name and learning and remembering them…calling them by name next time you meet up…some refreshing kindness and courtesy, some act of civility, demonstrating that they’ve been noticed.
If this is to happen anywhere in God’s world, I think it ought to be here, on our campus, at The Neighborhood Church. A place where every encounter could be personal and intentional. What if we were to become known for that? I wonder…
Pastor Rick