The Woman and I

This poem came out of a word someone brought at church about the woman Jesus met at the well. The truth is, you and I are that woman and Jesus comes to us.

The Woman and I

There once was a woman who waited
Until mid day to go to the well
You see, all her town were ashamed of her
For all she had done, all those times she'd fell

No one would come to her side now
Though she'd reached out to many and few
She'd looked for a happiness she could hold
Yet, like dust was the water she drew.

But look, you and I are that woman
Standing there, filling water alone.
Trying to find satisfaction in things
That only lead far away from our home.

You've sought out companions and happiness
Yet the road of your efforts lies dead
For none have matched up to the ache in your heart
Like chewing on stale, week-old bread

Well, child, it's time to leave all that
It's time to bite into the best
Your hunger is now at its end, child,
Come lay your tired feet down and rest.

Come, drink for the depthless fountain,
Come, eat of the bread of true life,
Be done with your days of wanting
And come, be filled up with his life.

Like the woman who came to the well then,
We too have unquenchable thirst
As, no matter the things that we drink from
It remains an unmovable curse.

Until you admit that you're thirsty
And hungry for more than you have
Will you ever look up that stranger nearby
Offering exactly what you need to have?

Today, look to this kindest stranger,
The one who meets you where you are,
Reaches into your situation
And stands by your side, where you are,

Offering strength for this new day
Clothing you freshly with grace
Whispering in your ear, "I love you"
And waiting with you in this place.

So, friends, like the woman now, listen,
Speak your heart to your father's ear

And know that fresh grace melt the doubts in your heart
And right now, let go of them here.

Here is the God who knows you
Warts and all, every doubt, every fear
And yet says with a smile that spans all of time,
My child, my loved one, I'm here.