Last week we traveled to North Georgia for some hiking and to enjoy scenic views of the Blue Ridge. One of our stops led us to Hemlock Falls Trail. It is located in Chattahoochee National Forest, just across the road from Moccasin Creek State Park, which is on Lake Burton in Clarkesville, GA. The hike is a 1.5 mile (one-way) dog friendly hike, a one-way in and one-way out trail, with some tree roots and mud puddles, but a doable incline with moderate elevation.
The trail is quickly marked with the roaring sound of Moccasin Creek as it rushes down the mountain side over moss-covered boulders and slippery rocks. We were also greeted by blooming mountain laurels and some early blooming rhododendrons. There were only a few breaks of sunshine due to the heavy canopy above, but it was gorgeous!
As we hiked up the trail the river was on the right and beautiful rock formations on the left. Several of the formations had water trickling out of them. At one particular turn in the path a spring appeared to be coming out of the mountain side. It was irresistible. Should I dare to drink? I cupped my hands into the splashing water and drank several handfuls. It was so refreshing!! (BTW, I did not get dysentery.)
The water tasted so pure and sweet. What a needed thirst quencher, since we hadn't brought along any water bottles! I was so glad we stopped, because the ice cold water seemed to bring the needed recharging, not to mention the beauty of feeling and smelling the cold mountain air that seemed to surround the spring.
My kudos to you today is to take small breaks along your life's journey or even your daily journey. Not just a sensory break or water break, but a spiritual break, even if it's just for 5 minutes. Jesus calls us to talk to him and be in communion with him. He has everything we need to satisfy our thirsts - thirsts for happiness, contentment, peace, health, material gain, prestige. You name it. The truth is that when you surrender to His life source of living water, all the other thirsts will be satisfied. But you might be saying, how? I'm glad you asked!
Jesus said:
But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life. John 4:14 Amplified
My prayer for you and all of us today is that we continually drink of His Living Water. It is a life source that is freely given to all who will come and dare to drink, from the lIving water!
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