Under the heat of noon sun, the woman made her way to the well to draw the water she would need for the day. She resented the fact that she had to wait until the hottest part of the day to take this long walk. The alternative would be to go early in the coolness of the morning, but that would require dealing with much more than this sultry heat. It would mean she had to endure the stares and gossip of the other women in town. She preferred this alternative to being the subject of more ridicule and hurt than she had already endured over time.
As a young girl, she once had the friendship of these same ladies. But time had changed all of that. Life seemed to have dealt her more hardship than her former friends. Perhaps part of it was her own doing, but life in this small town had not been very forgiving of her mistakes.
One poor choice had led to another and resulted in a snowball effect through the years. This Samaritan woman had finally reached the lowest point of her life. She wondered if life was even worth living, but something kept her from ending it all. Something inside of her encouraged her to wait and hope for a better tomorrow.
As soon as she drew the water needed, she would return home – the only place where she found any comfort at all. She would begin the meal preparation for that evening and continue the work she had started on a new dress.
Having a new dress to wear seemed to help her feel pretty. It had been years since she had felt truly beautiful. Sure, she could attract most men in town with her petite figure and beautiful brown hair and eyes, but that game had long grown old to her.
Like the Samaritan woman, I too have known the hurt and pain of one failed relationship after another. After three divorces and raising a child on my own, I felt as if I didn’t deserve true happiness. Through years of making poor choices and battling depression and thoughts of suicide, I felt that I could not escape the hurt and that no man would truly love me for me. But then I met Jesus at the “well” in Scripture.
I was searching for someone who could relate to my hurt and pain. Someone who left a broken past behind and embraced the future with hope and certainty. I found that in the story of the woman at the well.
Through her living testimony, I was reminded that not only can He forgive me of my sins, but He also desires to remove the shame of those past sins. He longs for us to live in the light of His love and grace. He longs to use our mistakes to minister to the hurts and needs of others.
I believe that as Jesus sat at the well that day and talked with the Samaritan woman, He was also thinking of me. He knew this story would change my life and that I would be able to leave the past behind and take to heart the lessons in this story. I would be able to lose the shame and move beyond the pain. Perhaps you are in a similar place today?
He longs to meet you where you are. In your sin and in your less-than-perfect circumstances. He longs to give you a new beginning and a new found freedom – freedom in Christ.
Take the water that He is offering you. It will quench your thirst and quiet your soul. His living water will fill the places of emptiness and loneliness that you have known so long and replace them with his fullness and joy.
Jasmine says
Thank you Lynn for reminding me of this story. I too could benefit fro, taking a sip of the living water again. Your words spoke to me tonight especially that God is ready to meet you where you are.
Lynn Langford says
Jasmine,
God is so faithful, isn’t he!? When I’m having a difficult day and struggling with reminders of my past, all I have to do is think about how much He loves me and how far He has brought me. He is so faithful!
Blessings to you this day!
Niecy Taylor says
Such amazing grace. Thank you for painting the parallel so beautifully.
Marty says
Thank you so much for sharing your story. 🙂
Lynn Langford says
Niecy,
Grace…..such a beautiful word, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words.
Lynn Langford says
Marty,
I love to share how the Lord has changed my life so drastically. There’s MUCH more to my story, but if you know the story of the Samaritan woman, there are many comparisons.
I believe with all my heart that as Jesus talked with the woman at the well that day, He was thinking of me and a time in the future when I’d read that story and have my life changed radically.
I love Him so much!
Dillan Moore says
That was absolutely beautiful to read. Thinking that Jesus knew exactly who he would affect, after all these years, is just so amazing
Lynn Langford says
He sees and knows all…..from the beginning of time to the end. So thankful that nothing escapes His attention.
Thanks for your beautiful photography, Dillan 🙂
san says
Thanks for sharing your story. I to have struggled then I let my lord and savior into my life. For me to it have changed my life. I still struggle but now I turn to him.
Lynn Langford says
San,
He sees our struggles and understands how hard it is for us on this earth. That’s why He came…and because He did, we can cast all our cares on Him. His shoulders are broad enough to handle the weight and the sins of the world.
Turn to Him each and every day and trust Him to carry you through.
Prayers for you!
Tara says
Loved this post! I need this reminder every once in awhile!!
Lynn Langford says
Thanks so much, Tara…..I need the reminder from time to time too!
Have a blessed day 🙂
Shelli Littleton says
Lynn, I just have to say, “Amen!” In our less, He is more. Thank you for this sweet reminder.
Lynn Langford says
Shelli,
I’ve never heard that saying, “In our less, He is more”….love it! Might even have to frame those words. Great reminder for us every day!
God Bless
Ann says
Thanks for a great reminder today ! When I feel separated from God due to my own failings . He comes and meets me where I am stuck. He always offers grace and forgiveness .
Meredith Bernard says
I hear your heart, Lynn. I’ve been the Samaritan woman, as well, and for a long time wore my own “scarlet letter.” So thankful Jesus met me where I was almost six years ago and continues to meet me there daily. Thank you for sharing a part of your story…you are not alone. xoxo, Meredith
Lynn Langford says
Ann,
Grace and Forgiveness…..my two favorite words 🙂
Blessings to you!
Lynn Langford says
Meredith,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words. Part of my healing process was knowing that by sharing, I could help others going through the same struggles. My mistakes became my ministry.
May God bless you as you continue to meet with Him daily.
ZynWoof says
For nearly 30 years, I too have been buried under 200 pounds of fat from the guilt, anger, and shame of my past stemming from a weak mind, and horribly wrong choices in all areas of my life… I lost myself along the way a long time ago and it is hard today to look at what I have physically morphed into after the intelligent, hard-working, kind, and beautiful young woman I was (but didn’t realize or appreciate back then). Thank you, Lynn for sharing your kind words.
Lynn Langford says
ZynWoof,
Praying that God would put His loving arms around you this very moment and remind you of how special you really are…..for you are created in His image!
Allow Him to speak life back into your very soul and guide you as you make decisions for Him from this point forward.
Praying for you sister.
Leanna says
After my third divorce, I was devastated. I felt like a piece of paper discarded in the trash. I cried out to God “What is wrong with me? Do I have a wart on the end of my nose that everyone else can see but I can’t? And one night he showed me. That I was like the woman at the well….I was thirsty….and every time I took a drink from the well of a relationship, I thought it would quench that thirst inside. I thought I was the problem. But God showed me the problem wasn’t with me, it was with the water I was drinking that I thought would fill my emptiness. I was trying to fill a hole in me that only God could fill. I did fing God and he did fill up my emptiness. Although it has been a journey, I am finally beginning to understand relationships in their true value.
Lynn Langford says
Leanna,
Your words sound so familiar! I can remember wondering what was wrong with me as well and why I couldn’t seem to find someone to truly love me for me. I remember crying and asking God one day why He allowed me to go through 3 divorces. That’s when He clearly spoke to my heart and said, “I never told you to marry any of them”. From that day forward, I took the blame for making the wrong choices. I rededicated my life to Christ and looked to Him to help me make the right decisions.
I put God first in my life and He eventually led me to the man He had created for me all along. I’ve been happily married now for 13 years.
Praying for you to allow Him to be your everything. He is the only thing that can fill that God-shaped hole in our souls.
Linda McClellan says
I identify completely and still let my past drag me down even though I’ve received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I know he died for me. No matter the many mistakes, several divorces and many more things that left me with no self-esteem, the person afraid to voice opinions because why would anyone possibly care to hear anything I had to say. But I know that now I DO have the ability to help others that are going through the same things I did, or close to it. I know that the route my life took was God’s plan for my life so that I CAN help others, which I do. I read that in an article somewhere, and that one touched my heart. So all the pain, disappointments, abuse from men who used me, to name a few gave me a knowledge of some women’s hearts. I can look at a woman who is obviously down on her luck, or even homeless and think “there, by the grace of God, go I”. I never look down on anyone that some people might look away from or try to avoid even passing too close too. I finally found the right man when I was 56 and we’ve been married 8 years, a good Christian man who treats me like a person should be treated, as the Lord tells us. The most important thing we can do is to love the Lord with out heart, mind, and soul. And also to love others as we love ourselves and today I DO love myself! My life is good now, I treasure every moment I spend in prayer and love nothing more than to study the Bible or Christian books that teach me new things. God bless all women and to those women going through the rough times now, stay strong and look to the Lord. That is the best advice I was once told years ago.
Patty says
Such a beautiful testimony of God’s love in your life Lynn.. I am always amazed at how our Lord meets us where we are…regardless…wanting us! What love!!! I want to say to you….. your story is such a blessing and is a wonderful reminder that the love our Lord has for us…well, it simply changes us..We no longer look behind..He give us something to look forward to… Thanks for your openess and courage to share your story…your story is a wonderful comparison to the Samaritan Women…. Blessings!
NORMA JEAN says
Lynn, Thank you so much for sharing this. Perfect timing. Just when I was feeling down and ashamed of my past, I am reminded yet again of our Heavenly Father’s love for us. Your article brought tears and then a smile. Blessings to you!
Lynn Langford says
Linda,
Congratulations on your marriage! It truly does make a big difference when we allow God to lead us to the man He created for us. I pray happiness for you and that you would continue to allow God to use you to minister to others.
Blessings to you.
Lynn Langford says
Norma Jean,
Always remember that your past is just that….in the past! Don’t allow Satan to keep you from seeing all that God has for your future. I’m so happy that you could relate to what I said and that I was able to put a smile on your face.
Prayers for you.
Holley Gerth says
Lynn, this is a beautiful, heartfelt, powerful post and I’m so glad you shared it with us! I think we all have a little of the Samaritan woman in us and need to know we’re loved and accepted and called just as we are. XO
Lynn Langford says
Holley,
Thank you so much for your kind words….it means so much! You are an inspiration to me and I appreciate how you allow the Lord to use you to touch the hearts of so many.
XOXO
Beth Williams says
Now I kind of feel like the Samaritan woman. Over the past few years my job has changed. This year it changed in such a way that I dread coming to work daily. Added to this is the fact that my hubby had a big change in his life also. We were both unhappy with the situations we found ourselves in.
We know and trust that God can and will meet us in our place. He will give us the living water we need and we must be obedient to His word, praying daily for strength to endure!
Blessings 🙂
Lynn Langford says
Change can be so difficult….even if it’s a change we want and are asking for.
Praying that God will put His loving arms around you and that you would feel His presence and His peace – a peace that truly does pass all understanding.
XO