A Cup of Cold Water
／Evelyn O. Shih
Last August, I had surgery to remove my gallbladder. The worst part
during the hospitalization period was that I could not have anything
to drink. I was given only a small stick of damp sponge to wet my mouth
and lips.
Oh! How I wished that Lazarus would dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue. So, every time a medical person appeared,
I would ask, "When can I have water?"
While patiently waiting for the water on the tip of one's finger,
I turned my thoughts to what the Lord said: "And whosoever shall give
to drink unto one of the little ones a cup of cold water only in the
name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose
his reward."
A cup of water! What I needed was a few drops of water, yet God would
give me a full cup. God's grace is always so rich and abundant that
above all we ask and think. Praise the Lord!
Therefore, God demands us to give generously also. What others need
may be just a few kind words, an encouraging glance, a pat on the
shoulder or a touch of hand, but, usually we are reluctant to give or
we don't even recognize the need, especially with our family members.
A Cup of water is not only about the quantity, it also contains the
quality of respect. I once saw a movie in which a horseman was splashing
waster on the faces of roadside refugees. The refugees were thirsty,
yet they didn't get too much water in their mouths, so they used their
tongues to lap around their mouths. Upon seeing this, the horseman rode
away, roaring with laughter.
Our Lord has taught us with an entirely opposite manner. Although
the thirsty person is a little one, we still give him a cup of cold
water. Furthermore, we give the water from a cup; the cup representing
my respect and my consideration. In performing this act, I recognize
the thirsty person's need, I care about his need and I am willing to
meet his need. Thus, I go to get a cup, fill it with cold water and
hand it to him, asking him to please drink it. Only in this way can
we get a reward from the Lord.
Normally, we are not as cruel as the horseman, neither are we as
kind as what the Lord wishes. Our attitude may be:
1. Why do you want to drink? Can't you wait a little longer?
2. Why don't you find water by yourself? Why do you come to me?
3. I don't have time right now. Don't bother me!
4. Let me introduce someone else to you. He has water and he is willing to help.
5. And, so on ...
The bottom line regarding this attitude is I am so selfish that I
don't want to life a finger to help others. If you recognize this
attitude in yourself, how can you expect to have good relationships
with your family and friends?
Oh! Finally, the nurse handed me a cup of water and commanded, "Don't
gulp, just sip." I sipped satisfyingly with the long a waited water
and with the Lord's words in my thoughts.
