Thirsty Soul

Dad clapped the Bible shut and gave Geena a bear hug. They both jumped up and pumped their fists in the air."We did it!" Geena shouted.Mom came in the back door. "I take it you two just finished reading the entire Bible. Look what I have for you." She handed them two tickets. "You can celebrate at tomorrow's ball game."They had good seats at the game, ate lots of chips and hot dogs--and their team won. On the way home Geena was thirsty, but her water bottle was empty.When they got home, Geena forgot about getting a drink as they sat at the table telling Mom all about the game. Dad pulled out the Bible and said, "Geena, you can pick which book we read next." "We just finished the Bible yesterday. Why do we need to keep reading it?" She held up her empty water bottle. "I need some water."Dad put up his hand. "Wait, didn't you just drink that whole bottle yesterday?" Geena nodded. Dad asked, "Why do you want more?""Probably because we ate three bags of chips at the game." Geena giggled. Dad laughed and took her water bottle to the sink. "What if you never had anything to drink again?""I'd feel awful and always be thirsty." "That's how it would be for your soul without Jesus," said Dad. "You'd be like someone lost in a desert with no water. Jesus calls Himself living water because we need Him to save us and fill our lives with His presence and peace. One of the ways He helps us feel His presence and peace is through His Word. Reading the Bible is like a drink from Jesus that refreshes your mind and spirit. It's not something to just read once--we need to keep reading the Bible and learning about it with others at church." Geena nodded. "It reminds me how much God loves me--like when we read about how Jesus forgives us because He took the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross. And I love reading the part about Jesus rising from the dead." Dad handed her the full water bottle. Geena took a drink and opened the Bible to choose what they would read next.–Laura Roesler