Samaritan Woman Revisited

“Connection”―to God and to each other . . . we were created for that.

Brené Brown defines connection, ” . . . as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” [from The Gifts of Imperfection ]

But in a fallen world, genuine relational connection can be risky. For many of us, it’s how we were wounded. However, when we’ve been wounded relationally, God’s plan for us is to heal through relationship. This is a poem I wrote about a very special friend’s impact on my life when I was going through a really dark season. It’s based on Jesus’ healing encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well in John chapter 4.

Perhaps God is asking you to be open to allowing a trustworthy person to come close enough to see your wounds and break your shame OR . . . perhaps He is inviting you to serve someone else in that way.

SAMARITAN WOMAN REVISITED

~

All alone at my empty well

you came to visit me in Samaria last night.

No holy visitation in an ancient Middle East,

you were an angel who boldly braved the Samaria

that sits in the middle of me . . .

~

Your gentle eyes put me at ease

and I dared to draw you close.

The warming wisdom that searched my soul

shrank not as I approached.

So I lifted my leg to show you my wound . . .

“Will you nurse it so I can walk?”

~

Then I cut a cloth, the fabric of dreams

to dip in your wisdom’s bowl . . .

soaked through with kindness, clothed by your hand

you washed it clear over my soul.

~

Proof of His Presence, for a doubter named Thomas,

“Let me finger the Master’s wound.”

Would I be convinced if I touched Christ’s side . . .

or did He through you

touch my wounded pride?

~

~

[Excerpt from The Voice of Rachel Weeping: A Creative Journey of Compassion, Healing, and Hope for Abused Women available through Xulon Press. Read more about the book here https://metaphormakerpress.com/rachel-weeping/ ]