Living Water by Megan Kelley

While on vacation, visiting with my aunt in Maui, I signed up for a surf lesson. The surf culture there was so friendly and warm. The water crystal clear, unlike northeast Florida, where I grew up. However, a hotel concierge did warned me that unlike the soft sandy Florida beaches, I was used to, there is reef that is shallow and sharp. He advised me on how not to fall, in order to protect my face from the reef. The surf instructors provided water shoes and advised legging, which fueled my anxiety over the endeavor. 

Since I live pretty far from the ocean, they reviewed the basics with me in my hour-long lesson. My instructor was amazing and could tell I was a bit nervous, so he gave gentle tips and told stories of Hawaii in between sets. One of the photographers in the water, was so supportive with every wave I took, they cheered my on with a kind smile. In our day to day lives, whether surfing or in our Christian walk, we need friends like this. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to “Encourage one another and build each other up.” Life is so much easier knowing they have a friend by his or her side, both in and out of the water. Whether you have a fellow Christian friend supporting you on your walk or not, I want to remind you Jesus is always there with you, as your support. Jesus told us, Himself in Matthew 28:20, “And behold, I am always with you, to the end of the age.” 

After lots of encouragement, everything just clicked and I was surfing once again. I knew it was the Holy Spirit giving me the nudge I needed to not be afraid. (Isaiah 41:10) This experience got me thinking about God’s timing. “Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.” - Psalms 37:7 How we need to wait patiently in certain seasons. “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”-Hebrews 6:15. Sometimes we wipe out in life but we have to get right back up to experience all He has for us. “They comforted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.”-2 Samuel 22:19. God provides us with the best parts of our story, all in His timing.