Alone again. That’s what she must have thought as she walked to the well all by herself that day.
But she wasn’t alone for long. Jesus was there. Yet, she didn’t know who He was and she couldn’t help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman.
When He spoke, she heard gentleness in His voice. Kindness and humility in His simple request for a drink.
In His eyes she saw acceptance, not judgment. Love, not hate.
Many of us know her as the Samaritan woman, but I like to call her Sam to make her feel more like the real woman she was. A woman who struggled with hurt, rejection, and loneliness.
Jesus was on His way to Galilee that day, but Scripture tells us “He had to go through Samaria” {John 4:4}. Yet theologians would tell us Jews considered Samaritans to be the scum of the earth and would do everything to avoid them by traveling around Samaria — but not Jesus.
He had to go through Samaria. Perhaps it be because He knew Sam would be there.
Women normally traveled together to the well, in the cool of the day, to avoid the heat of the sun since they carried heavy jars filled with water back to their homes. But Sam went by herself.
Many believe that instead of avoiding the scorching heat of the sun, she went to the well at noon to avoid the scorching pain of others’ rejection and judgment. Sam had been married five times, and was living with a man who wasn’t her husband.
When Jesus met her, Sam was running an errand, and running from those who knew of her failures, shame, and imperfections. Pursuing her with His perfect love, Jesus timed it so she would run into Him.
He initiated conversation and asked her for the one thing she had to offer, water. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Sam stopped and listened. She let Him speak words of assurance and acceptance into the broken, insecure, empty places of her heart.
Jesus intentionally pursued Sam in one of the loneliest parts of her day and in the same way, He is there in the midst of our sometimes lonely, imperfect lives. He is there when our disappointments and failures leave us empty and make us doubt our worth and purpose.
He is there when you’re going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done but unaware of how you’re going to do it all.
He is there during endless days filled with projects, diapers, or laundry when you’re wondering if you’ll ever find meaning in the monotony.
He is there when you’re criticizing yourself and questioning whether you have what it takes to be a godly woman, wife, mom, and friend.
He sees you. He notices all you do. And He knows what you long for.
Jesus is the only One who can meet our deepest need to be known, accepted, and pursued simply because of who you are.
And today, He wants you to know this: He is pursuing you with His gift of perfect love — love that is patient and kind, love that keeps no record of your wrongs, love that won’t give up on you or me.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you are not alone. He is there.
Lord, help me believe and rely on the love You have for me and live in the security of Your constant presence. When I feel alone, afraid, or insignificant, help me remember You are there.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Renee,
This is beautiful!! I think every woman dreams of being pursued…sought after like a cherished treasure. That’s what Jesus does for us…for me. He pursues. He doesn’t pursue with an agenda, or expectations, or a list of “to dos”, He just pursues us until the point in which we stand still, face Him, and He tells us that He loves us just as we are. We ALL need this reminder. Thank you 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Linda Darlene says
I am so thankful for this post and reminder. While reading I went back in time 37 years ago and reflected about my day at the well.
I was 26 years old, married already 3 times, lonely and shunned. I too avoided people who were cruel to me. Lost and alone in the quiet hours of the morning I read this story for the first time. By the time I finished the story, tears falling onto the printed pages blurred my vision. My salvation story began that day, when I realized Jesus loved me and could forgive me. My life began and was forever changed by the story of the woman at the well.
Sam I Am,
Linda Darlene
Kelli Mcknight says
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your story Linda!
Renee Swope says
Oh Linda, thank you for sharing your redemption story. I’m so grateful for that day you met Him 37 years ago. You are so loved!!
Jenny says
Good Morning Linda – I know exactly how you feel. I too have been married 3 times and I can totally relate to Sam. My third husband who I thought was the love of my left. Filed for divorce after 15 years of marriage. I was devastated. I could not understand why God was letting this happen to me. A friend of mine gave me the confident hear about 2 years ago when all this misery started. Initially like you I could not get through the first couple of pages without crying, in fact, I could not even read the book. I recently came across the book again and after reading these posts have decided that I am ready to get a confident heart!
Jenny
Linda Darlene says
Dear Jenny,
I am so glad that my testimony, which I was hesitant to share, may have brought you some encouragement. Sometimes the healing takes awhile when the scar is deep. So glad you are ready for a confident heart!
Nestle up close to Jesus, He will never leave or forsake you!
Here are just a few scriptures on confidence. Proverbs 3:26, Hebrews 10:35 & I John 5:14.
Praying for you today,
Linda Darlene
Renee Swope says
Yes, sweet Bev, how deeply our hearts long to be pursued. To be seen and known. Accepted and valued now matter. what. I love how Jesus shows us through this tender, heart-revealing story that with HIM we are. Now to slow down and let Him see inside my heart today, and listen while He tells me all I need to hear, just like He did with our friend Sam that day at the well.
Cheryl Cooper says
This is a special and needed message in my life right now, a comfort and encouragement. The Lord touched my heart through your words. Thank you.
Renee Swope says
Praying for His comfort and encouragement to stay close to your heart today, Cheryl. You are {HIS}. Loved, cherished and pursued.
Jenny says
Good Morning Renee a dear, dear friend gave me a copy of the confident heart about 2 years ago when I was going through a transition in my life. My stepson was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer, my husband could not handle it accused me of having an affair and filed for divorce. I was devastated. Just recently I picked up the book again to start reading. It is so nice to know that my heavenly father knows the truth. I can so relate to Sam and I hope one day I will know the truth as to why my husband left me after 15 years of marriage.
Margaret Anfinson says
Oh Renee… Thank you, thank you for these words of encouragement this morning. I have been feeling so alone, so shamed, so imperfect for not being the woman the God wants me to be. I have stumbled, fallen short and questioned where he is in my life. When deep down inside I know he has been with me all all along, carrying my burdens and wiping my tears. I need him in my life more than ever and ask that all you wonderful women please pray for me.
I have fallen to my knees and asked Jesus to take over all aspects of my life for I can’t handle it all alone. I’m tired, weak and weary. I know that I am a work in progress but I need help and prayer. Thank you! And may God bless each and every one of you today and every day!
An says
Margaret, dear sister, I understand your weary 😛 So grateful to pray for you, to pray that the Lord lifts you high into His gentle arms and carries you through. You are His beautiful daughter and while James 3:2 says that we all stumble, the truth is that He loves us anyway 🙂 He loves you, dear Margaret, and we all do too 🙂 Be blessed today, dear sister, you are never alone with Christ and His body 🙂
Renee Swope says
Margaret, I love God’s tender heart. When I wrote this post, I wasn’t sure if anyone would need it as much as I did, but then I prayed for it to land in inboxes and be opened by hearts who needed to know, like mine, that we’re not alone. We are Loved. Pursued. Forgiven. Picked up. Listened to. Held. I’d love to pray for you.
Jesus, thank you for letting us know we don’t have to be perfect. We dont have to stand tall and strong. We can be weak and weary. Doubtful and discouraged. We can run and you’ll be there to catch us. I pray for Margaret, your sweet child who is carrying heavy burdens and wiping salty tears. She needs You more than ever and as she surrenders to you Jesus, we pray with her that You’ll step in – to every area of her life and show her how to let go and let you handle decisions and direction. Lord, she is weak and weary, but you are strong and mighty. We trust and anticipate Your powerful presence in her life. Your infilling wisdom and hope. In JESUS name, amen.
Michele Morin says
Renee, of all the glorious qualities of God that you listed, my favorite is that He doesn’t give up on us. So thankful that He has stayed faithful even when I have wandered.
Renee Swope says
I love that about Him too Michele. A Love that never gives up on us even when we can easily give up on ourselves, and Him. Faithful and forever good. So grateful for His pursuing love today.
Peggy Ann Lashuay says
As a woman who is aging and looking around and wondering where the years have gone, I found this very poignant. To think that The Lord is still pursuing me and knows my in’s and out’s made me think about how special I truly am to Him. There are little things in a given day that I tend to ignore, but I know that The Lord was talking or leading me in a way that I need to be more aware of each day. My favorite verse “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” really is like thunder at times and whispers at other times. To be cherished, loved and given wisdom by a Lord who is all knowing and yet He still takes time to be with me every day of my life. I thank Him and Praise Him for being there and better yet know He is there is very amazing to me, but then that is what makes Him Lord of All..Pal
Renee Swope says
Isnt that the most beautiful truth? That no matter where we are in life, how long we’ve been here on this earth, or walked with Him… there’s not a day that goes by that He’s not pursuing us. I’ve been asking Him lately to help me slow down and come to Him. To sit at the well. To listen and let Him love me. Praying that for you too, Peggy.
Martha McNeal says
Outstanding as this precious word of God is, He loves each one of us like this, personally, intimately. Thank you for reminding us of His one of a kind love.
Renee Swope says
Every.Single.One.Of.Us.
every single day. His love is truly one of a kind. Oh that we would be filled and satisfied by Him today.
Kelli Mcknight says
Beautiful reminder today! I think I’ll always think of her as Sam now as well. He is there!
Renee Swope says
🙂
An says
Renee, I praise the Lord for this much needed and beautiful message that you gave. Having been through so much lately, my heart is weary. How I needed this word of the Lord’s forgiveness and love touching my whole self today, to know that love that pursues and heals with words of acceptance. Seeking Him in His word brings us to Him and Him to us so He can speak words of life, love, and truth to our tired souls, feeding us with His love and acceptance that is patient with us. May we each know His love today that never ends, His mercies that never stop, coming to each of our tender souls with love and refreshment beyond compare 🙂
Renee Swope says
An, I”m thanking Jesus for knowing just what your heart needed and sending His love your way. I’m sorry for all that you’re going through and pray His love that pursues and heals will lavish your hurting heart with grace and acceptance. I’m agreeing with you friend “May we each know His love today that never ends, His mercies that never stop, coming to each of our tender souls with love and refreshment beyond compare.” Amen!!
Kim Waguespack says
The story of the woman at the well is my favorite story in the Bible. In one of her wonderful Bible studies, author and teacher, Beth Moore, notes that the woman leaves her water jug at the well when she runs back to her village to tell the others about Jesus. The reason she leaves the vessel behind: SHE is now the VESSEL to be filled with Christ’s LIVING WATER!!! How wonderful that we are made to be vessels to be filled with His refreshing and life-giving water!!! Thank you, Lord Jesus!!! Praise Your Holy Name!!!
Renee Swope says
This is one of my favorites too, and I love the beautiful truth Beth Moore reveals in that Sam become a vessel of Living Water – and poured out love, grace and truth on those in her neighborhood as she ran back home and invited them to come and meet a man, Messiah, who knew “everything she’d ever done.” She was known completely and felt loved extravagantly. Oh that we would know this love that sets us free!!
Christina Ocasio says
I so needed this today!..thank you Lord for using others to remind us and encourage us in moments of need. Amen and blessings.
Renee Swope says
Amen amen. He knows what we need. And I needed to read this post today too. He’s such a good good Father.
NancyKWolfe says
I have recently been involved in some online classes and conversations in which we are asked to share our feelings or experiences in honest terms. Unfortunately, because I do share openly, some people feel they have permission to fix my feelings or tell me why I shouldn’t respond to my experiences in the way I do. Oh, well.
But, I am comforted when I remember that Jesus sometimes just sits quietly and listens, even if I am not asking anything. He listens and He is there. And even though He has already shown me the perfect answer or the right way, He doesn’t boss me around or diminish the reality of my feelings. He is there. He is ready. Thank you Jesus.
Renee Swope says
Sweet Nancy, I am so sorry that when asked to share, you were then advised how to get over your feelings and on with your life. I know how hurtful that can be, and it really doesn’t help in the healing process. I pray that today’s post is a powerful reminded that He sits there with you, listening and letting you process where you are, what your’e feeling and then He walks with you towards hope and healing. Showing you the way deeper into His heart through your pain. He is there, every step of the way.
Thank you for sharing. Praying for you right now.
Rebecca L Jones says
I don’t know why women do this, maybe because we are chosen vessels. When we all question and doubt ourselves aren’t we really doing that to God who chose us? But He loves us. I joined the eriter’s challenge last year and my topic “Pursuing The Prince of Peace “. We have to chase Him or let Him catch us as the case may be. It was customary for women to be passed on to relatives upon their deaths back then, whatever her situation, Jesus was right on time.
Renee Swope says
So thankful for His grace and mercy that pursues us all the days of our lives.
M says
Ever grateful for His grace upon grace…
Kelly says
For some reason that is one of my favorite stories of Jesus interactions with women. I have felt like that woman so many times in my life. This weekend is one of those times where I wanted to share it with a friend but God had other ideas. Everyone I asked to go with me had some kind of reason to not be able to go with me. So I came alone to hear what it is that he has for me that he wanted me to be here by myself. I have no idea what will.happen over the next two days but I want to be open to whatever he has for me.
Things have been tough lately, been trying to do things in my own strength.
Renee Swope says
Praying you have a wonderful, sweet, intimate adventure with Jesus this weekend Kelly!! Praying for lots of reading, journaling, listening, walking and enjoying the One who knows you best and loves you most. Praying He refreshes your soul!!
Leah says
This blessed my soul! Thank you.
Crystal Storms says
Love this reminder of Jesus’ constant presence, Renne. It’s my favorite of God’s promises, and one I need reminding of when the road gets hard or I get scared. Resting in His promises, remembering His constant presence.
Debi says
I feel encouraged & happy to hear, in your words, how Jesus is ALWAYS there, through the good times & the bad. I’m going to pray that God will help me with this. He has promised & he cannot lie. Thank you,Lord.
Renee Swope says
Me too!!
Beth Williams says
Renee,
Thank you for the insight on the woman at the well. Woman want to be listened to and not judged for our past actions. ‘Jesus redeems our failures and restores our purpose.’ He has plans for us and woos us to Himself. Praise God He redeems our failures and doesn’t care about our past. He is so loving and kind.
Blessings 🙂
Marian Retana says
Thank you for this devotional. I trust the Lord and I know I’m special for him. But I have a son that recently lost his job but since he was a little boy he felt rejection and many other feelings. For him it hasn’t been easy. Know he feels that nothing works out in his live and that everybody abandoned him. Please can you help me pray that he can feel Jesús acceptance and love for his live. Thank you and God bless you.
Renee Swope says
Praying for your son right now. I know that must be so hard for your mama heart too. It’s so hard to watch our kids walk through disappointment and rejection. I am asking God to speak to him in really personal ways and for His acceptance to fill those empty places with assurance and confidence that is based not on what he can do but on who he is a child of God, created for a purpose and with God’s unfolding intentional just-in-time plans for his future.
Donna says
Thank you, I needed that!
Denisse says
I needed this right now! The tears cannot stop. I finally waked away from a 6 1/2 year relationship that was toxic and never any good for me. I’ve felt alone, inadequate, like I couldn’t meet his standards and never would. I yearned for his love and attention and he wasn’t willing to give it. Only lies, heartache and pain. Brokenness is what I’ve been feeling and these words you shared…. I have no words to describe what it has done for me tonight. Thank You! Lord bless you! ❤️❤️❤️
Barb D says
Thank you for sharing this. I just wrote about this same topic last week. Even though I know the truth, that I am never alone, I constantly need to be reminded.
Sharon says
Me too!!!
Sharon says
I too have felt the loneliness this summer, even wondering if He is still there walking through this jungle called life. I “just keep moving”, like Toby Mac says in his song…”it’s not over yet!!!”
I’m sure Sam was feeling the same way that day, unaware that He was about to change her life forever. I’m just waiting for that time of encounter once again!
Jane Heyer says
You have a Gift. Taking “The Word” and insightfully sharing the “marrow,” in a way that embodies Jesus, and all that he is, into our very lives. Renee, Bless You, for . . .
“As each had received a gift, use it to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10
Kelly says
Renee and those who read this,
I’m in need of prayer, hope, and much encouragement. I have endured being bullied by my boss for over a year. I have definitely sought help and looked for other opportunities, but I am still trapped. The last two days go down as the worst, and I walked out to my car with tears saying, “God, why have you abandoned me? Why don’t you care? I can’t take one more day in that office.” You see, I have been given an opportunity to go work in a different office – it was all lined up and ready to go – done behind my bosses back. When it came time for her to know and release me – only anger pursued out of her, and she isn’t letting me go. I’m crushed, confused, and totally wiped out (so to speak).
This all comes at a time when my very healthy husband suffered a seizure 3 weeks ago with no known reason and receiving major injuries.
I keep asking “why God?” “I can’t do this. I’m not strong enough.” I’m broken. Luckily I have a huge support of Christian friends, a wonderful church family, Proverbs 31, and a Christian radio station playing needed songs.
But it’s so hard – I’m so afraid – I’m so sad from head to toe. It’s so hard to hear and believe “God is in control. God has a plan. He is working this out. Trust Him.”
I’m praying for a miracle. That something changes immediately when I return to that office on Monday. I’m already full of anxiety to go back. How much more can a person endure? I’m afraid to ask.
Thank you, Renee, for your ministry. You have touched me many times before and this last article was right on time.
Debbie says
I will say a prayer for you Kelly. May God give you the strength and wisdom to see you through this situation. I also ask for prayers of healing for your husband. God Bless you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Kelly says
Thank you!! I appreciate every prayer!
Lisa says
You are in my prayers Kelly. God undoubtedly has given you this job and has a plan for you there. You might be the only Jesus your boss-coworkers see. This position is your ministry – embrace what God has for you. I have been in your situation so please pray for them, serve them, love them…. Then watch for your miracle to happen. It will!
Kelly says
This encourages me – to know I’m not alone!! Thank you!
Jenny says
Kelly prayers for you girlie girl – please know that God is with you!!!
Kelly says
Thank you!! Made me smile.
drag&fly says
how did it go Monday? Hopefully, you could see God’s answer in some tangible way.
Debbie says
Dear Renee,
The link to this message appeared in my “Important” section of my new emails. It spoke to me immediately. I am currently feeling very alone and depressed, despite the presence of an incredibly loving husband. I needed to read this today and I thank God’s intervention that lead me to it. I will be reading this one again and again in the coming days. Thank you for your ministry.
Peace,
Debbie
Lisa says
You all have been a blessing to me today!
When I think about all the things I would go back and change if I could – Past sin and Poor decisions that were not God honoring – it leaves me to feel like Sam did as well. Then the Holy Spirit brought me this:
God is Sovereign, and knew the decisions I would make before I so foolishly made them. He allowed me to make these because He knew what it would take to bring me to a place of humility; understanding the full meaning of Grace. He knew I would be intentionally alone at the well Ready to listen, ready to accept that He is the ONLY living water!
Praise the Lord for His infinite wisdom!
drag&fly says
I don’t know how to let Him do this. When I read the Bible all I see are all the ways I’m failing.
Debbie says
drag&fly – you are not alone. Even the disciples doubted themselves. In Romans 7:24, Paul exhibit just that. Read on into Romans chapter 8 to hear the good news. Jesus died to save us from our sins. He took away our shame. We will never be perfect, only He was perfect, but He can help you to be the person God wants you to be.
I hope this helps you. I am praying for you.
In Christ’s peace,
Debbie
drag&fly says
thank you
Ellie says
I need to rember this when I am having bad, depressed day,which are often. We moved when I was almost 50 and haven’t made any real friends, no one at my age seems to have room for another friend. We have joined a church and love the preaching. And I know that only God, not my my incredibly patient husband, can fill that hole in my heart. I have a hard time remembering that. I pray that I can have an open heart like Sam to let God fill that hole.
drag&fly says
you are not in baltimore by any chance? i always have romm for one more friend 🙂
Ellie says
That’s sweet but no I’m it!