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Clare Smith

Training Body & Soul

“But what about the water bottle?”

November 4, 2011

It was late Wednesday night. We  just arrived to the Relevant conference. 7 hours of travel. We were excited, nervous, and tired!

We were sitting around a table and I figured it was a perfect time for a photo op. So I set up my camera and self-timer, gathered everyone around and hit the button. I ran to my place but just as the camera snapped, my head went straight in front of my friend Janelle’s. We laughed and laughed and prepared for another shot. I went back to the camera, confirmed that my head did indeed block hers and set it up again.

 

Photo shot #2.. Snapped the button. Ran to my spot (made sure I didn’t block out Janelle with my big head) and voila! The shot was taken. Just as I was getting ready to shout with excitement that we were done, Ruth exclaimed, “But what about that water bottle?!”

I turned and looked and right in front of the camera was a half-filled water bottle. I reviewed the shot and yes, indeed, the water bottle was the main focus of the shot. You could barely see us! We howled and howled. There were 6 of us and none of us noticed it!

Here’s the kicker. You guessed it. That same water bottle was in snapshot 1. I never even noticed it when I came back (and reviewed that shot) and set up for the second shot. My stomach hurt so bad from laughing. We all enjoyed that but as I processed that scene, I thought of something a little deeper.

How many times do we miss “the water bottles” in our lives? How many times have we had our focus so far ahead that we are forgetting what is right in front of us?

(I realize that sometimes we do the opposite. We tend to focus on what’s right in front of us instead of the big picture. I’ve done both!)

It took someone to shout out, “But what about the water bottle?!” for my focus to be broken and realigned.

“You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.” Isaiah 42:20

Today I want you to consider what God may be placing right in front of you that is screaming, “HERE I AM. PAY ATTENTION!”

♦ Could it be the weight on the scale creeping higher and higher?

♦ An attitude of resentment towards your husband that is digging deeper and deeper?

♦ An opportunity to serve your church or community that has been sitting void for months and months?

♦ A behavior that your teenage son is displaying that is screaming, “Help me!”?

♦ God calling you to trust Him with your life and decisions?

Is there someone speaking truth in your life that you are (intentionally or not) ignoring? Take some time right now and ask God if there is something as plain as day as that water bottle that you are missing because your focus is too far ahead. He will reveal it! And when He does, act upon it!

"But what about the water bottle": A lesson in missing what's smack dab in front of you | peak313.com

♥♥♥

Have you ever had a “water bottle” moment that you’d like to share?

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Filed Under: Featured, Funny, Spiritual Tagged With: funny, real life, scripture, spiritual 9 Comments

About Clare

Comments

  1. Women Living Well says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Hilarious!!! And to think this is on day one BEFORE we were sleep deprived – we just have NO excuse! Thanks for making me laugh again and for the analogy to life – it’s true…

    Love ya girl!
    Courtney

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:31 am

    That is so funny!!! I love the pics… cracked me up. I’m going to ponder this one today and look for “water bottles”.

    Reply
  3. Janelle says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:35 am

    I jut laughed out loud!!! Thank you Clare..I know exactly what my water bottle is….ugh!

    Reply
  4. liz says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:51 am

    i am the one that tends to focus on whats right in front of me instead of the bigger picture sometimes. remembering to trust in the LORD in all things.

    Reply
  5. Sonya Schroeder says

    November 4, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Great reminder Clare. This is SO true. Sometimes it takes a good laugh and a yell to get our attention.. Hugs

    Reply
  6. ann gardner says

    November 4, 2011 at 10:49 am

    love this analogy. what a great challenge! how often do i miss the obvious things in my life out of ignorance. thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  7. Debbie says

    November 4, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Love this !!
    So many times we overlook the obvious and pay attention to the small things that don’t need our time and attention !
    The Holy Spirit is the living water and He is front and center someone I overlook but He is a vital part of life

    Reply
  8. Christin @ Joyful Mothering says

    November 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Ha! That’s hilarious!!!!

    What a great analogy, though!! It happens all too often, too. We’re so busy focused on what’s up ahead, we’re totally missing what God wants for us NOW.

    Reply
  9. {darlene} says

    November 5, 2011 at 8:34 am

    You guys are HILARIOUS. so cute.

    hugs, girl!!!!!!! miss you!

    Reply

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Let your complicated, challenging, nuanced situati Let your complicated, challenging, nuanced situation(s) be what forms you. Let it build you into the person God is bringing you to be. It’s not the ability to live life unscathed and perfect that creates a beautiful soul. It’s the ability to feel the heat and pain and come out more tender, authentic, and loving that makes you a person who is set apart for use. A person like this is refreshing and that person absolutely is you. #abeautifulpurpose

(Quote not my own)
I’ll keep this short because I want you to read I’ll keep this short because I want you to read the poem. We can bring our burdens many places nowadays- friends, Instagram, Facebook, text, to gym, to work, to sleep.. you get the point. But let’s make sure we bring our burdens first to Jesus. After the week.. month.. year.. many of us are having, there’s no better time to do this than now. #sweetunfailingrefuge

(I found this tucked in an old book at my family’s 100 year old farmhouse that we were selling this summer 🤍)
•My house was a mess with everyone being home to •My house was a mess with everyone being home today
• I only had ingredients for one batch of soup
• I don’t drink alcohol on Mondays
• Hubs had the sink totally apart in the middle of a project
• The kids were in and out of our deep conversation

Sometimes the quick stop to say hello turns into a therapy session with dinner and wine. Everything was stacked against me – so I thought- but the mayhem is often beauty and normalcy to the person’s life who is spinning. Sometimes “the plan” goes off track... but it’s not off track in God’s eyes.

Living life knowing that the minutes of your day are not yours but for God to use to encourage and be there for people who are hurting changes everything. It changes who you marry. It changes how you spend your money. It changes what you do with your time. Dinner portions may not be what you planned but God always finds enough to fill those who come to His table to be loved on and heard.

If I know one thing – it’s this. People are hurting right now. Some things are private and some are public. What would it look like if our homes became safe places for people to land? For our hearts to enter in the pain? For our embrace to provide the temporary relief needed? We can be people who talk about bringing the kingdom here on earth or we can be people who do what we can with the little we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 🤍
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Each of us have something in our lives where it’s not what we want. We are on the path to achievement but it sure ain’t there yet. It can be with some of the obvious things such a health or financial goals but I see this often with people regarding relationships. The marriage, friendship, child or community in which we live falls just short of “perfection” and so we just settle instead of putting in consistent, hopeful work, which allows room for the Holy Spirit to work. 

I just want to encourage you to keep chipping away because while things may not be what you want, they can be better. In fact the way we reach what we want is not by snapping our fingers and it magically appearing but by a process or journey which involves ups and downs, straight stretches of boredom, and then finally a renewed energy as you see the end in sight.

What have you given up on achieving because it hasn’t come to fruition in the time you wanted? Remember… things can be BETTER. And that counts for something. 🤍
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All I know is that everything I stepped into prepared me for the next thing. Many times I didn’t even know it! But I look back often and am like, “ohhh, God, I see what ya did there!” 

My encouragement to you is this- no matter what age you are- trust the path you are on. Let peace be your guide... not some assumed plan an “expert” or author told you. Sure- be wise with your time. Put in the work with diligence wherever your feet may have you, but be open to the nudges of where to go.

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We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Rem We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Remember that seeds are buried and “in the dark” before anything springs forth. Our journeys in life can often feel like that. Do the daily work. Tend your “heart garden.” Time is on your side. And when it’s time...it’s time. 🤍

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A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s retreat in the Chicago area. I just finished a session & a lady ran up to me asking if she could ask me a few questions. She was early 50’s, striking in appearance… fit & confident. She started telling me that she resonated with my health/fitness message & wanted some encouragement on starting “this late in life”, but as we continued talking, her demeanor changed & tears started to fill her eyes.

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We chatted a little longer, prayed & hugged, & as I walked away I couldn’t help but think of many women I’ve encountered with this same story but I would’ve never known. Walking through life seemingly fine, yet carrying a deep wound inside, questioning every bit of her worth and ability to make a difference. Heartbreaking. 

If you relate to that woman, I want you to know that you are loved & seen. Your past, as hard as it has been, has formed & shaped you into the woman you are today, & a woman that God greatly desires to use. He wants your broken, fragile heart. He will bind it up and heal it. He will walk with you in the shadows. He will lead you beside still and soul-quenching waters. There may be many words you can attach to your situation but there is one more powerful than all that I want you to keep remembering…RESTORATION. Jesus is renewing and reviving something within you that will bring light to yourself & others.

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