Wonder water

Plants in containers do not like summer heat. Hot summer weather with water restrictions in place means containers need hand watering once or twice a day. They dry out very quickly. Plants go limp in a hurry. I know how they feel.

My mother did not let her plants droop. She had a secret sauce she called “wonder water.” She dissolved the lightest sprinkle of fertilizer into her watering can every day. She gave her plants daily food for dealing with stressful times. She did not get that water on the leaves. She sprayed the leaves with a mister.

One would think I would have a beautiful garden, but I don’t. After living here for 14 years, I cannot get the hang of zone 9B. I get distracted with other things in life, and my plants suffer neglect.

I like the things that go along with gardening. I collected vintage galvanized watering cans. I love the different shapes. It is easy to forget they are very heavy when filled with water. Cute, but not practical. I slosh the water out on the way to its destination and onto myself.

Like plants, we need nurture and nourishment. It helps if we have a little every day rather than wait until we are tired, worn out and droopy. One of the sayings on the collage cards we make at my art gallery is: “Don’t forget to drink lots of water. You are basically a houseplant with complicated emotions.”

With stressful circumstances inside us and around us, we need a daily dose of wonder water. What works for you? When feeling pressured, do you look for a quick fix? An extra large caffeinated beverage? Chocolate? Fill in the blank, you know what you turn to every time. Some are disciplined to know and understand what they need and when. Others of us fly by the seat of our pants.

Searching for a quick fix happens on many levels: individual, group, communal and societal. These temporary solutions can backfire when we don’t take the time and effort to pause and evaluate ourselves and our circumstances.

That was the situation for the nation of Judah in the late 6th century BCE. The leadership’s and the people’s poor choices for personal gain had a cumulatively deleterious effect on their nation. The prophet Jeremiah could see that their demise was imminent and they would fall captive to the rising Babylonian empire.

Here is a small portion of the imagery he used to describe their plight:

…for my people have committed two evils:

  they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living water,

  and dug out cisterns for themselves,

cracked cisterns

  that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)

Jeremiah was saying, “People! You are leaking! Your nation is leaking!” It was like me, carrying a full watering can while sloshing half of it out. You probably have heard the retort, “That doesn’t hold water.” The saying refers to a rationale for a decision or an attempt to make a case for something that doesn’t work. You can’t use a broken vessel to carry a valuable commodity. Arguing about it or fighting over it doesn’t make it better. Nor can you gloss over the cracks with some paint or pretend they are not there in our lives, our relationships, our town or in our country.

In Fernandina Beach, we are surrounded by beautiful water, wonder water. We have the ocean, the river, the marshes and creeks. Local lakes and ponds. Hopefully, you take some time to drink in the wonder of these waters.

There are numerous instances throughout the ancient Hebrew and Christian texts of water or flowing water as an analogy for spiritual thirst and what quenches it. If I were more familiar with some of the texts of other faiths, I could quote those too. This truth is universal.

After the exile, the remnant of the nation returned to their homeland in Judah. Devastation was everywhere. The task of rebuilding was daunting. They felt depleted and exhausted. Sound familiar?

The prophet Isaiah spoke words of comfort and invitation. He encouraged them to find nourishment in what is lasting.

Isaiah 55: 1-2, Good News Translation.

“Come, everyone who is thirsty—

  here is water!

Come, you that have no money—

  buy grain and eat!

Come! Buy wine and milk—

  it will cost you nothing!

Why spend money on what does not satisfy?

  Why spend your wages and still be hungry?

Listen to me and do what I say,

  and you will enjoy the best food of all.”

Remember, you are basically a houseplant with complicated emotions. Pause to wonder at our local waters. Take time to nurture yourself with some wonder water.