Not again.

Last month I was so excited that the bruised bones in my foot had recovered enough to enjoy Jazzercise again. It took a long five or six months. But finally, I was free to move with the beat again.

My newly established exercise routine was interrupted by a conference in Thailand. Only ten days, I told myself. When I return, I can jump back into Jazzercise.

Floors in Thailand have many ups and downs. I’ve been told they are designed that way in hopes of tripping evil spirits. When I entered my hotel bathroom, I noticed the three-inch step-down. But I forgot to step up when I left the bathroom and slammed my big toe into the raised threshold.

“Probable fracture,” the doctor concluded when I had it checked out back home. “Limited walking and tape it to the next toe for three to five weeks,” he ordered. Three to five weeks! No Jazzercise again.

When my foot was healing earlier this year, I joined the YMCA to use the pool. But it was too expensive and too far to be practical. I discontinued it. So with my disheartening toe diagnosis, I was back to wishing for a pool.

Lord, I wish there were a nearby swimming pool! Could you please help me find one?  

A thought popped into my mind. I wonder when the local community pool, which is only five minutes away, opens for the summer? I had taken our children there for many years, but as far as I knew, it was only open when school was off for the summer.

Checking their website for summer hours, I was thrilled to discover it’s open for adult swim all year round! I hurried over the next day and my heart overflowed with thankfulness as I kicked and stretched in the refreshing crystal waters.

I marveled at how God responded so quickly to my simple prayer. Had I even thought of asking for His help when I searched earlier this year? All those months I longed for a pool to use, it was right there, waiting for me—only five minutes away. I had everything I needed and wanted; I just didn’t know it.

It reminds me of the rivers of living water flowing inside of us (John 7:38).  God has placed His supernatural power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead— right at our fingertips. We either don’t realize the incredible treasure we have inherited as believers, or we are so busy doing things our own way that we forget who lives inside of us.

When we want to overcome a challenge or temptation, we can embrace the endless source of help available through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. We can dive into His deep waters and find refreshment, strength, and victory, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

That’s even better than the local pool.

Which part of my story can you relate to?