Hot Water, Icy Water, Refreshing Water, and Living Water

Hot Water, Icy Water, Refreshing Water, and Living Water

by | Oct 21, 2017 | Far East Tidbits

Water is an amazing, wonderful substance, isn’t it? It not only sustains life, but washes away grime and refreshes us, which leads to this post about the Japanese ofuro and waterfalls, cool fountains, and “living water.”

When I lived in Japan, I gained a great appreciation for the steaming hot water of the ofuro, a deep, wooden tub used for daily baths. After the first minutes (aka shock) of adjusting to the temperature, the water always proved a balm for tiredness. Not only that, but the warmth lingered even when I went outside in the winter. A mirror would show me that my face was almost as red as a lobster, but that was a small price to pay for tingling skin and relaxed muscles.

A far less common custom in Japan makes use of icy cold water. One of my friends told about standing under a waterfall for its sensation of cleansing, both physically and spiritually. Although there are many lovely Japanese waterfalls, you might guess that I bypassed that stimulating experience.

If you visit Dallas Baptist University, the sight of ponds and beautiful fountains, like the one in the photo, can make you feel a tiny bit cooler on a hot Texas day, and even more so if a breeze carries a little of the spray. Can you imagine the temporary relief? (Okay, really small and temporary.)

Fountains can also be reminders of the “living water” Jesus spoke about (John 4). Since His “living water” leads to a never-ending relationship with God—the Source of life and everything good, I’m sure we’d agree that nothing else, no matter how refreshing, can come close to that!

Still, the ofuro is part of a splendid custom that our American showers don’t quite match, and I miss it, especially after long days.

Have you experienced any out-of-the-ordinary customs that you sometimes miss? Please share if one comes to mind.

Daffodils

Daffodils

by | Mar 14, 2014 | Sometimes I write about...

My favorite flower, daffodils, are in full bloom here in North Texas. Lots of people like daffodils because they are harbingers of spring and the release from winter’s cold grip. However, my love of daffodils began years ago in a high school English literature class, partly due to a terribly boring series of essays we’d been reading—and I mean booooring. When we finally finished that section in the textbook, I turned the page. A stunning photo of a field of golden daffodils introduced a poem by Wordsworth. One thin page had transported me from awful essays to interesting poems—they really were much, much better than the essays. We’d moved from parched desert to lush fields, so to speak, and I’ve loved daffodils ever since.

Yesterday, I took this photo at Dallas Baptist University, where I’ve been feasting my eyes on the flowers for a week or two. Happily, the deep freeze didn’t damage them.

2014-03-13 06.40.15

Next will come regal irises and a plethora of wildflowers: bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink primroses, and red clover, to name a few. Since I don’t have a green thumb, I’m particularly appreciative of the wildflowers that sprout up without all that gardening effort.

Another reason for loving daffodils and all the rest of these flowers is their connection to one of my favorite Scripture passages, Matthew 6:28-33.  Jesus asked His followers why they tended to worry about such things as clothing when the Heavenly Father arrays the short-lived wildflowers with more beauty than that of a king’s robes. Truly, no clothes from even a ritzy store like Niemen Marcus can match a flower’s artistry.

Next time you get a chance, look at a daffodil up close, take a whiff of spring itself, and be reminded of its Creator, the ultimate Artist.