“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Comparatively, it’s a rather small one… as far as fountains go, that is. It sits just outside of our sliding glass doors that don’t really slide anymore. From the inside of those clear glass doors Katie has her chair. It’s been there for over a decade… the place where she spends time, every morning, with Jesus. As she sits quietly, she can hear the babbling of the outside fountain, and it brings her joy.

Being the husband, I see it as my job to maintain the fountain for her. It has an electrical pump that continuously circulates the water from the lower basin to the upper tier, where it overflows through 3 tiers before starting all over again. She loves the sound it makes, which is easily heard through the glass doors. But like all things, fountains require special effort to keep them going.

Many fountains have screens over each tier to keep leaves, and other debris, from falling into them. She likes the fountain because it is pretty and makes a babbling sound. With screens, there is no sound, so our fountain does not have them. What ours DOES have, and collects on a regular basis, is debris. Cleaning out the leaves that collect and eventually stop the pump from running, is my job.

Another thing the fountain requires is lubrication. At times, the spouts grow a crusty kind of texture that ‘splurts’ the water in all directions, therefore missing the lower tier and emptying the basin. I’m not sure if splurts is a word, but you can use it if you want. To correct the splurts, I use Vaseline to lubricate the ends of the spouts so water flows and drops. About every 18 months I buy a new pump.

I say all this because folks who don’t own a fountain might like to know what it takes to keep them going. We’ve had several fountains over the years, all for the same reasons. To enjoy the sight and sound of a fountain takes maintenance and filling. That’s important to know, because God created ME to be a fountain. Today’s Bible verse clearly explains what has to happen for our mutual enjoyment.

God owns the fountain (me) and it’s HIS job to fill it with joy and peace through the Holy Spirit. It is MY responsibility to place my faith and trust in His ability to do that. When I do, I overflow with HOPE! It is the time in our yearly season, and a good time in our world’s condition, for us to OVER FLOW with Hope, Love and Joy. But to do that, we have to have it. Have you asked Him to fill and maintain your faith by spending time with Him? He’d love to take care of you… if you’ll let Him.