Help, Lord, the Water is Cold!

Read Philippians 3-4

As you know by now, after high school, I joined The Agape Players, a Christian Musical/Drama team that
traveled all over the United States and some international destinations. I loved traveling and spreading the Good
News! But, as team members, we had strict rules to follow. Since I was very compliant back then, for the most
part, following the rules was not a problem for me. Some of the rules were as follows: 1) we were NOT to poor
mouth; 2) we were not to ask for anything except water; 3) we were to use good manners/etiquette in all
situations; 4) we were not to boast; 5) we were to leave thank-you notes at all of our hosts' homes (on MADE
beds, of course); 6) we were to spend time with our hosts, if they so desired until they were ready for bed; 7) we
were to be godly examples in everything we did; 8) we were to witness and speak to people after every concert;
and 9) of course, we were to bath daily. The list continued, but enough for now.
We usually stayed in the homes of host families who belonged to the churches where we performed.
Normally, two or more of us would stay at one family's house. I think the staff would usually get the "best"
homes, though they may dispute this opinion. But, one day, Becky Key and I got to stay at a large home. The
home wasn't especially fancy, but it was nice. Actually, I had never really taken notice of the other houses
before this one ... being young and immature, I never thought much about where I stayed. On this rare occasion,
the hosts were not going to be around. But, before they left, they showed us to a very spacious bedroom with a
large bathroom attached. In the center of the room was an inviting king-sized bed – actually, the first I had ever
seen. Though I usually enjoyed conversations with my hosts, I was thankful for being "put away from it all" in
this bedroom ... able to sit down and read. And, it was so nice to have a bathroom to ourselves! Anyway, since
this was the first house I had noticed, the first king-sized bed I'd ever encountered, and the first time I got a
bathroom to myself (well, kind of), I was overwhelmed with joy. So, the next morning, I was sure to "spread my
joy" with my entire troop. And, I couldn't wait to stay there one more night as planned.
Little did I know that the same night I enjoyed the "luxury," some of the staff members and other members
had to stay on the hard, cold basement floor of a church. So, staff members made quick arrangements to have
their group stay in "our" house that night, while we girls were shipped off to an elderly lady's home. The pastor
had originally hoped not to send anyone there, but since the staff insisted, he agreed. The staff, of course, made
sure to tell us to be gracious to her hospitality.
We were driven by a member of the church to a tiny, old gas station! This gas station was no longer a
business, but home to this elderly woman. She was very excited as she greeted us. So, I grinned as she pointed
out her very small bedroom and bed where I was to sleep with her. She made a cot for Becky just at the end of
her bed. We were given tuna fish sandwiches before bed, and, afterwards, were shown the bathroom. It was
then that she informed us that she had no hot water! … It was winter! Needless to say, I wasn't very happy with
this situation, and didn't even wash my make-up off that night. Instead, I stood in the bathroom and cried,
"Why, God?! The water is cold!" In the morning, I gave myself a spit bath with a washcloth.
When we arrived back with our team, I was sure to speak of our dilemma. And, in no time, I received an
"assignment" (some discipline the staff handed me) for not taking a bath! I think it was my first assignment, and
I was horrified! My ordeal had not been bad enough, I was punished as well! But, God was trying to teach me to
be thankful for EVERYthing. This gracious lady didn't have much to share, but she shared it, nonetheless. She
didn't need some snooty young lady turning up a nose to her efforts. She needed to see Christ's love! Jesus
would have been gracious to her efforts!
Dear Lord, bless this lady. Forgive me for being so selfish. Thank you for her hospitality and willingness to
share. Please, bless her for this.
"Not that I speak in respect of want;
for I have learned, in whatever state I am,
in this to be content."
Philippians 4:11

~Michelle Pearson 1999