Speak to her

I hoped no one would see me. I was embarrassed and ashamed and too humiliated to show my face.

I spent the entire holiday season hiding out because I couldn’t bear the thought of running into people I knew. I feared their opinions. Each time I went out in public, I prayed that I wouldn’t see a familiar face.

“ Now [Jesus] had to go through Samaria.  So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:4-7)

This woman had a reputation. Everyone in town likely talked more about her more than they spoke to her. I’m sure they felt uncomfortable and awkward around her. Her situation was scandalous. And so she was probably used to it by now. Being ignored, avoided, and excluded from the crowd.

She may have timed her trip to the well with the hopes no one else would be there. I don’t know if anyone else was at the well besides the two of them, and based on how she was usually treated, I imagine she didn’t expect him to say a word to her.

But he did.

Jesus spoke to her.

The two of them went on to have this marvelous, life changing conversation and the story goes on to tell us that she left her jar at the well and went back into the town and personally spoke to the people, maybe even to those who usually avoided her, sharing the good news about Jesus.

You don’t always have know what to say. In fact, it’s rare that you will have the right words. But it’s not so much about saying the right thing as it is simply saying something.

To this day, almost a decade later, I remember the people who spoke to me. I remember the cards I received. I remember the hugs and the kind words. Many of them said things like, “Brittnye, it’s good to see you!” Or, “I love you and I’m praying for you.” Or, “I heard the news and I’m so sorry.”

And then many people said nothing. Their silence didn’t change my circumstances but rather confirmed my doubts and fears. 

Yet God spoke to me. Straight to my heart. Through His word, songs, creation, and his people -  God acknowledged me. He said something, and His every word filled my aching heart with hope.

So if you don’t know what you should do, say something. Don’t try to get fancy with your words or search for the “right ones.” Simply acknowledging someone with a smile, a hug, or a hello is often more than enough. God will use your love and actions to speak volumes to a hurting heart.