Sandra Hubbard

Welcome to Today’s Grace.

I’ve been spending time lately with the woman at the well.

While we’ve never actually met, I am familiar with her story as you may be. (ohn 4)

Inner turmoil is the worst isn’t it?

We exhaust ourselves trying to hide, ignore, dismiss or pretend it doesn’t exist. And while others might not see it, Jesus does.

Why else would he climb a hill in the hottest hours of the day to meet a woman everyone else has judged, criticized and excluded (most likely without ever bothering to know the reason behind her choices, actions and behavior?)

Her social media feed may look enviable but her self worth is shattered, her hope is diminishing and her fears increasing.

The woman at the well had a void she believed could only be filled with external validation, affirmation and approval only to be let down repeatedly.

For her, men represented a necessary evil.

She didn’t feel complete without one yet every one had disappointed her taking a piece of her soul with them when they left.

She goes to the well alone only to meet a man who somehow knows her mess and mistakes yet speaks to her kindly without any hint of criticism or judgment.

He offers her what she didn’t know she needed, spiritual rehydration and the hope that her future can look different from her past.

He showed this woman grace and compassion.

She, like so many of us, was probably burned out from trying to post the perfect life exhausting herself to keep her kids, boss, husband and friends pleased.

Today, He invites each of us to come to the well “as is”. Matt 11:28

So if you are “weary” (tired of trying to fix yourselves, pretend your pain doesn’t exist, looking to others for your happiness, hoping no one discovers the real you,) and “heavy laden” (with hidden pain or current problems) and He promises to “give you rest” (your mind will calm, your heart will heal, your shoulders will relax and your spirit will be at peace).

The woman who came down the hill that day restored, energized and healed wasn’t the same woman who trudged it bearing her pain, tiredness, shame and wounds.

And we won’t be either. I hope you have a beautiful and blessed week!