Water in nature is a beautiful thing. It travels in a continuous cycle. It is lifted from the oceans and lakes by the sun's energy; it is condensed into clouds. Water's face is constantly changing expression. It's the ocean, creeks, rivers, lakes, rain, and snow. It is endlessly fascinating.
Beautiful clouds towered up through the haze of the sultry afternoon as I watched the storm approaching from the other side of the lake in Maine. I remember as a young child being fascinated as I watched the onset of a heavy rain making its way to our side of the lake. It was a beautiful waterfall slowly approaching us.
The gentlest sources of water, fog and mist, are created and enclosed by a mysterious vapor that looms shapes. These shapes appear close at hand and then are just as suddenly gone. Many drops have the ability to slowly form on the leaves, twigs and branches before dripping to the ground.
Raising my children on a farm far away from civilization, there were many mornings when I awoke to the fog dancing across the pasture. All I could see were the tips of cow tails swishing in the air. It was absolutely breathtaking.
In winter, water changes its complexion more radically, becoming snow and ice. Again, a beautiful sight when the snow falls in abundance or when it simply falls lazy and feathery. When the wind comes and blows it diagonally or even horizontally it's hypnotic to watch. It's amazing how the snow is a great insulator, protecting our plants as the moisture seeps into the ground, providing a slow release of water throughout the spring.
Water to our bodies is a necessity. Sixty-five percent of our human body is water and most of the chemical reactions that occur within the body require it. I am a water drinker and I am always fascinated at how quickly I can dehydrate when I don't have enough water in my system.
Needing water to survive goes back to Biblical days. The Egyptians depended on the water of the River Nile for drinking and the Romans too built canal systems to move water around the country.
There is an increasing awareness of water's link to healthy living. A healthy mind in a healthy body; water improves our lives.
More and more women today are giving birth to their babies underwater in a warm bathtub. Why? Because it calms the mother down while being in pain from the birthing process but it also minimizes the trauma of long labor and birth for her baby.
Doctors and dietitians are huge advocates of drinking plenty of water and being a swimmer, I know that water aerobics is the safest and most effective form of exercise for a wide range of people and for people with bone injuries.
Water is so much more to us than just a practical and physical object that perches itself into our being. It is an irresistible life force that never stops.
Water heals. Water not only heals our physical bodies, it heals our minds. Have you ever just sat and listened to the waves crashing along the shore or listened to a babbling brook? I have had the opportunities to hear both as well as a rippling lake and a dripping water fountain.
Soaking in a tub of hot water relaxes every bone in my body. It is not uncommon for the families of northern Japan to spend days basking in the hot baths. Could you imagine that? I'm lucky to carve out 30 minutes to soak.
When I am still and listening to the sound of water, it slowly carries me away to a familiar peace. When we are still enough to sit and listen to water, we create space to listen to the all-knowing voice of the Creator who has all of the answers.
