Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NIV)
The clear cool water splashed over my face, into my mouth and drizzled down my neck, as I dunked my sweaty head into the ancient drinking fountain. The old watering trough at the edge of the football field was a welcome relief on this blistering August day. If the fountain was bigger, I might have stuck my whole body into the chilly liquid! The girls’ cross country team had just completed our second workout of the day, a torturing set of repeat half miles. Now it was time for the cool down, which I was hoping to accomplish at the watering trough. How refreshing it felt!
It must have been well water, because I don’t think the city of Ames, Iowa had a water pipe out in the field. The coolest, cleanest water I ever drank came from that well. The small watering trough was raised up on shaky metal legs, with several spigots for shooting water to a thirsty football team. How many athletes came to that well every day to be refreshed? And the well never ran dry. It was always there for us.
I look back on my time as a student athlete and remember the simple joys of the water fountain after a hard day. I also remember the heartache of losing my college cross country team in a plane crash. And I remember the joy of coming to know the true Well, Water, and Washer of my soul, Jesus Christ.
Welcome to My TEA CUPP Prayers for Athletes! This week we will be exploring how runners and others can enjoy a TEA CUPP with the Lord each day. You will find that JESUS is more satisfying than Gatorade, more powerful than Powerade, and more refreshing than the deepest Iowa well. He is the River of Life, the Ultimate Sports Drink, the Champion of my soul.
Runners and athletes all, come, enjoy a TEA CUPP of Living Water with Jesus to quench your thirsty souls!
“Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 (NIV)
Jenny,
Looking forward to your writings this week. I can remember doing a 20-mile training run for a marathlon and at the end just lying in our son’s blow-up swimming pool. He was 1 year old at the time and the pool maybe had 3″ of water in it, but did it ever feel refreshing and cooling even if only part of my body would fit. Where have all the years gone? I’m running a 10K route for most of my daily runs, we’re close to a paved trail, so no traffic to dodge.
This was really beautiful Jenny…I hope to share it with some of my athletes as we prepare for our new season. Keep up the wonderful work. I am so proud of you and all that you are accomplishing here, you have such a wonderful spirit and I am so blessed to call you my friend. Love your tea cupp prayers and bible studies.
Dear Gary & Jeni,
Thanks so much for writing! Soaking in a wading pool is a great idea! Keep up the great running, Gary! Jeni, I’d love to visit your team sometime, if you think I could encourage them. Thank you for encouraging me. God bless you both!
Because of Jesus,
Jennifer Grace