An Egyptian fable tells of a boy who had to find his way through the desert alone. Every step was painstaking. There was no water, and survival was difficult. In desperation, he dug with his bare hands to find water. Then he stumbled, walking and sometimes even crawling on. He never stopped. Every few miles, he would stop and dig until he found water.

Finally, exhausted, he found his way out of the desert. He collapsed onto the ground. His hands and feet were cut and bleeding.

Weeks later, he sat watching as another boy cheerfully walked by. “Where have you come from?” he called out.
Smiling, the new boy replied, “Oh, I’ve just come through the desert.”

“The desert?” he asked, astonished. “There is no water, and the way is so hard!”

“What do you mean there’s no water?” the new boy asked. “Didn’t you see the little wells?”

“No, there were no wells when I came through there!”

The new boy said, “Yes, there are wells sprinkled all along the way. The most beautiful flowers and plants are growing all around the wells.”

As the new boy walked away, the first boy looked down at the scars on his hands and smiled. It had cost him a price, but he had changed the path for those who followed him.

I am sure that I have experienced revivals that I did not realize who had dug for water. I may not have known the price that was secretly paid for my victory. I’m so glad that someone dug!

Today, I enjoy wells of water that were left by my parents. There are places where I have drunk cool water and enjoyed the flowers…because of others. I’ve been so blessed! But to whom much is given, much will be required.

To be honest, I have once again been in a battle for the soul of one of my children. So, I wanted to remind myself…dig some wells, Elizabeth. This can’t be about you personally. Just dig!

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6

A version of this legend can be found in the biography of Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt by Geoff and Janet Benge. This has been one of my favorite biographies that I have read out loud to my children. Don’t be surprised if you hear more about her from me.