Jesus will meet you at the Well.

When I was a baby Christian, I walked like a baby; I didn’t know what God intended for me, so I stumbled through the day on the strength I had from either a good night’s sleep or the fumes from the night before the last. Little did I know about the Grace of God when raising my children; now I give Him all the glory because the most challenging job ever is raising children. Sometimes I operated on borrowed time, accumulating sleep debt. I didn’t know what was good and beneficial to me and His Kingdom because I felt like I was living in a jungle, trying to ward off lions and tigers and bears while I slept next to a serpent!  

I have worked seven days a week for many years, so I am not preaching because the LORD knows and hears my prayers for rest from business. There was a time I went to work begrudgingly, but now, I thank God for the people I serve and love. If I had to choose, it would be tough for me to choose which job to let go of.  

 Jesus says, 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34). 

I’ve been praying for wisdom with my budget. I know that laziness can be key to wasteful spending, and I know the gifts the LORD gave me so that I would not be wasteful; but again, sometimes I am so worn out that I pull up to the drive-thru instead of making a meal that is healthier and less costly. Also, now that I am living alone, if I allow depression to keep me down, I won’t cook. We choose not to trust God for many reasons, but there are even more reasons to trust the GOD OF TRUTH. But, like a baby learning to walk, we must get up, although wobbly, take those steps He calls us to walk forward, or uphill to Jesus, the Wellspring of life. 

School is almost out, and although I have a few side jobs, I am losing that income. Panic tries to take hold of me, so I stumble, but I remember the gifts of God, get back up by God’s grace, and use them for my good, the good of others, and His glory. Proverbs says to learn from the ants! I put aside some savings, make large meals, and freeze them for later. I’ve learned through my hardship not to be wasteful. It took losing everything to gain what I have now. I don’t even take my children and friendships for granted any longer. Time is precious; learn from a teacher and THE TEACHER.

We learn about the big things God does, but forget about the small, practical things He does for us on our journey. Although Jesus met the woman at the Well, He didn’t call a plumber to connect pipes from the Well to her house, although she did put in a request. No, He gave her something better: Himself. He loved her where no one else could, and she stopped going begrudgingly and started going to the Well, with a changed heart; a heart of gratitude. She went to the Wellspring, the provider of all things. Jesus, the living water, praising God. That was where her ministry began. 

He met me at the Well.

I lost everything, and everyone except GOD. He met me at the Well. He not only met me at the Well but also went in and sat with me while I grieved; He loved me where no one else could. He didn’t tell me to get over it, and condemn me for everything I ever did, which He could have, but He did not. Nor did He leave because my grief was unbearable. 

Two and a half years ago, when I moved into a studio-type apartment, I had nothing to fill it, but when I realized I didn’t even have a can opener, pots, pans to cook with, or utensils, I broke down in tears. I said LORD, I don’t know how to live by faith, please show me how, and help me to trust You. He provided everything and filled it through my daughters, strangers, and clients whom I worked for for many years, and He continues to provide for my daily needs, because of His love and faithfulness. Everything I now have is from Him, and I’ve learned not to take what He has given me for granted. I pray for wisdom and the blessings He gives me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally, because without any of these, I know I would fail Him and my testimony of His goodness. 

 I recently moved into a much larger apartment and bought new furniture. The LORD filled my new place with everything I needed and filled me with His love, peace, and gratitude—praise and glory to God. David lived in a cave and still praised the LORD; the LORD moved him from a cave to a palace. Like the woman at the Well, she was freed from the condemnation of her relatives, neighbors, and even herself; she was transformed and let the love of God pour out through her. I, too, was set free and enabled to give hugs to the hurting, tears for the lost, and love to the unlovable because I was all of the above. Again, not by my strength and conditional love, but by God doing what He does through us as we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of Almighty God.