Image courtesy of thewaterproject.org
This post is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, “The Wellspring Of Life.†You can read more about this book and my other titles by clicking this link.
Value. Whenever I think of value, I think of something that is a good investment. Some of my friends poke fun at me for wearing clothes that have seen better days. A few are tattered, some even frayed, and maybe one or two with holes in them. They’re comfortable to me, I guess that’s why I pull them out of the closet and keep wearing them so frequently. I figure the threads I wear should be durable. Some of my brands in clothing are that way too, a better value for the price because they last longer. I think that’s a good choice. Is throwing that penny into the wishing well a good investment, or of value? lol… not sure about that, but it is also a choice we can make. And you may just end up beating a well grooved path to that one.
When it comes right down to it though there are some things that are necessities in life, and having a supply of potable water to drink is a need right at the top of the list.
Vast bodies of water stored in our environment are typically in underground reservoirs called aquifers, or in natural or man-made lakes or surface bodies of water. And while there are some environmental variables, generally speaking when we identify a body of water sufficient to supply the needs of a community we call it a resource. It will provide for their needs over a long period of time. These significant resources are replenished by mother nature in the form of precipitation that either runs off the land surface into the surface water body that we’re tapping, or infiltrates into the ground to the underground aquifer.
A water well, properly planned, located and constructed in the right place, drilled to the right depth and tapping an extensive aquifer, adds value. Generations can enjoy fresh drinking water from that well. There is a long-term residual effect of our efforts. We could say there is a reason to hold that source in high regard, protecting it from pollution or depletion. Water resources development is the other field that I work in!
Our western society sort of takes water for granted. Less so than in the past as alternative supply is more costly, but in comparison to many third world countries or crisis areas, indeed, it remains true today. I was just reading a story yesterday, it seems the primary dilemma for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is water supply. One man reportedly is hiking 3 hours round trip every day to the nearby mountains to collect water from a stream, hoping that it is safe for his family. There are surely many others like him. No doubt safer than what he can find near his home at this time. Humanitarian efforts continue globally in our day and time to reach out to impoverished third world countries and their people, providing water and wells that often mean life to them, or significantly extend their life expectancy. Once we identify the reservoirs, civilizations can form around them, becoming dependent on them, sort of like an oasis in the desert.
Some of our choices are just that way too. When we make a choice to head down a path we should be thinking about added value. Value to continue, or move in a forward direction. Like a quality of life thing. Value like the well. How will this decision effect my future? How will it affect my family, and their lives? What are the implications? Maybe these are residual effects then of our choices.
Consider the Doppler Effect. This wave phenomena is most easily recognized in hearing, as is the case when we hear a train approach and then pass. The sound waves in front of the train become more condensed, while those trailing the locomotive are spread out. The same thing happens in the transmission of fluids, like the water in a well and, yep, even the flow of blood through our heart and the rest of our body. In fluids, we can measure the movement of particles that are within the liquid to determine velocity, and to show the Doppler Effect. Pretty cool how the residual frequency of a wave gets more and more dispersed after the source passes, like the waning of the full moon until the time of the new moon.
The vestigial presence and value of our choices, directly and through the vision of the Doppler Effect. For our generation, making choices that bring goodness and abundance. All good stuff that we can then pass on to the next, and the one after that. The pleasing comfort like a well-worn pair of pajamas that you can’t wait to feel against your skin again as they spin in the dryer. The brand you know you can order online because you know the maker. And our Maker who we know we can go to, like going to the well in prayer. It just keeps adding value. Like the enduring value of a water well.
Like doing things right.
And doing the right thing.
Where does the water supply come from in your community?
What are some of the choices that you’re making today that you hope will impact future generations in a positive way?
GREAT post, Chris. I loved the way you led us from well worn clothing to the science of water, back to the PJs in the dryer and then to Jesus. Well done!
Choices for today that I’m making have to do with the books I write–not just for kids but also to encourage the faith of women who will raise up the next generation. It’s an awesome honor to have such a potential impact.
Always love reading your thoughts here Carol, thank you so much for sharing!
Sounds like you’ve found the brand in what you’re wearing and our Maker too!! 🙂
I like trying to be transparent about my personal struggles, what it cost me, what I learned, and how others can avoid those mistakes. Plus I like to encourage others – helping them, sharing resources, or introducing them to another person who can help.
All those good blessings will come back to you David, for sure!!