The following poem was written by my precious wife after hearing our son preach on John 4: 1-43, Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. May it minister to you. Carl
A Woman in a Far Away Town
She came to the well at midday
When the women of town were at home,
No judgement, no stares, no whispers were there,
Just the Samaritan woman alone.
No friends to walk with her to Jacob’s well,
No kindness to come alongside,
Always alone to finish her chore,
Five husbands, yet still not a bride.
She had never wed the man in her home.
She lived with him outside the law.
With her head hung in shame, she stood at the well,
Bucket in hand, with water to withdraw.
Standing near her, she saw a man at the well.
A Jew who could not look or dare speak.
She sought to ignore Him and finish her work,
Until he asked, “Will you give me a drink?”
A Jew asked a favor? This surely can’t be,
Yet with kindness He continued to say,
“If only you knew the Gift of God,
Living water I could give you today.”
Jesus had compassion and revealed who He was.
Told of her history and present day sin.
Never shamed her or judged her in any harsh way,
Because of this, she led many to Him.
Oh, that we could look past the stains others wear
And the shame of bad choices in life,
And offer God’s grace and an encouraging word,
Not judgement and stares filled with strife.
Let’s put on compassion and walk in His love,
Let’s build up and never tear down.
Let’s remember His love He so freely shared
In that long ago, far away town.
Nelda Johnson
Psalm 119: 38 