Woman at the Well

I am continuing with Chapter One of “Beautiful Battle” by Mary DeMuth. My first entry from Chapter One is called “Beautiful Battle” which gives an intro into the series and explains my “gaping hole,” my spiritual shortcomings if you will. This is the beginning of a journey into the realm of Spiritual Warfare. I am partnering with “Joyful Mothering” in which we are completing one chapter a week in a joint devotional connected with DeMuth’s book. However, the content is so rich, I couldn’t fit it all in just one post. I want to explain and delve into this subject more.

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DeMuth provides the example of “The Women at the Well” (found in John 4: 1-30). This is a beautiful story that I could spend many pages discussing all the details. Basically, Jesus passes through a small Samaritan village and stop at a well to rest. A Samaritan woman (who Jews would traditionally not associate with) comes to the well where Jesus asks her for a drink. She is taken aback by his request. He explains that he can give her a Living Water that will eternally quench her thirst. She does not understand his offer, but is intrigued by not having to come back to the well for water. Jesus asks her to get her husband, which she replies she does not have one. However, Jesus reveals that she has previously had five husbands and is not married to the man she is living with. She is now convinced Jesus is a prophet because that is the only way he would have known her misgivings. She asks Jesus questions about worship, which he answers saying that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23 NLT). She replies that the Messiah is coming and he will explain everything. Jesus replies “I am the Messiah” (John 4:26 NLT). At that the woman returns to town, leaving her water jar at the well, to go tell everyone she has met the Messiah. (I reference John 4:1-30 NLT.)

There are so many opportunities to learn and understand within these scriptures. The first thing I want to bring to light is a fact that DeMuth does not stress in her analysis, but I find to be important.

John says “Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well...” (John 4:6 NLT).

Jesus was tired.

Jesus, the Son of God, was tired.

If Jesus can be tired, it is okay for me to be tired. After we go so long, doing to best we can as much as we can, we can sit down at the well and rest with Jesus. Jesus takes the time to rest, that means I need to too. I am human, just as Jesus was human, and I need rest. That small realization can make a huge difference in your day, your life, your relationship with others and your effectiveness at Spiritual Warfare, which is what this whole book is about. I think I need to say it one more time...

Jesus needed rest and so do I.

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The other takeaways from this powerful scripture are that Jesus contains “Living Waters” and if we let him, he will fill us with those eternal waters so we will no longer thirst for things of the world to fill our “gaping holes.” When we are filled with the Spirit then Satan has a hard time tempting and distracting us. This brings home the point that worldly ways will never satisfy you, but God will satisfy you to overflowing.

DeMuth proclaims that we are the woman at the well. The woman has a “gaping hole,” a feeling of being unwanted and unloved, that she unsuccessfully attempts to fill with the pleasure of men. It is remarkable to her that Jesus, the Messiah, asks her, a broken cistern, for water. In return for her offer, she is given his “Living Waters.” She then leaves her watering jar behind. This is the beginning of our journey into Spiritual Warfare. We leave our method of filling our holes (symbolized by the watering jar left at the well) behind to allow Jesus to fill all of our needs with "Living Water."

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It is important to remember that Satan does not give up easily. He will always be in the shadows waiting for his chance to claim us. We are human and will fall short of God’s glory. One drink of the “Living Waters” is not enough. We must continue to renew the stream and live intimately with God and His Word. Jesus explains to the Woman at the Well that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23 NLT). To be fulfilled you only have to worship God from deep inside and carry His message with you so everyone can see his Glory.

DeMuth states, “Spiritual Warfare has more to do with the state of your heart before a holy God than a list of things to do or avoid” (DeMuth p20). If you heart is right with God, if you interact with Him daily and are filled with the “Living Waters” then it is time to continue the journey to the realm of Spiritual Warfare. You may stumble, but get back up with God’s grace. You may have to wade through times of confusion, but seek God’s light to pull you through. You may have to take a leap of faith, but trust God’s voice reaching out to you on the other side. The freedom the “Living Waters” gives you can win many spiritual battles, overcoming the Devil.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins that will ultimately conquer the Devil once and for all. Thank you for providing us with “Living Waters” that rid the need of any worldly ways so that we may know you intimately through constant prayer and worship. I pray that I continuously fill my “gaping holes” with your “Living Waters” and tell the whole world about your light within me. Help me to learn from the story of the Women at the Well and to remember to rest with Jesus when I am weary. Thank you for this devotional and the fellow bloggers that I connect with. I pray that they learn and grow with you during this journey just as I am. Help me be open minded and hear the lessons you want to teach me through these pages and quiet times together. Thank you for showing me the way and being her when I fall to help me up again. I love you Lord, for all that you are and for all that I can be through your strength and love. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Previous Entries of the “Beautiful Battle” Series:
Chapter One: “Beautiful Battle”

Linking up with:

Beautiful Battle

I am participating with an ongoing devotional in connection with "Joyful Mothering" to read and discuss "Beautiful Battle: A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Warfare" by Mary DeMuth. Mary has written several fabulous books about devotion to God and being the best woman, wife and mother you can be. This particular devotion is about spiritual warfare and how to live in God's Power in our everyday lives. 

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The first chapter we are reading is called, "Our Story: The Gaping Hole and Freedom." Before we can make an impact in spiritual warfare, we have to be whole in the Lord. This chapter is all about understanding our spiritual weaknesses and learning how to eternally fulfill our hearts with God's love. 

I’m going to be honest, it was hard for me to find my “gaping hole.” I do not say this in a bragging way, not in the least, it is more a shameful recognicion that I had to think really hard about what areas I faulter in. I was looking for something obvious, of course, it wasn’t obvious to me. But I took some time and really prayed on it and God showed me my “gaping hole.”

Zoey and I 

I was out with a couple girlfriends of mine. We had just had a great time shopping and were at dinner. We were talking about religion and God and balance. I spoke of how I am still trying to find a spiritual balance, that I feel like I am all over the place (happy, sad, up, down, etc.) My friend, a wonderful Christian woman, challenged the idea of balance, explaining that to have true balance would negate the reason to live. If we were at perfect zen then there would be no more spiritual quests to go on, no more questions to anwer, no more knowledge to gain. If we were at perfect spiritual balance we wouldn't seek God, his mercy or his love. What would be the point of living in this world without reaching out for God. I never thought of it that way. I wouldn't want to live without God's amazing grace and love.

But what this conversation about balance, God's love and the need for the highs and lows of life is that I actually question too much. I am too curious about how things work and why things are the way they are. God tells me to do something and the first question out of my mouth is “why?” I don’t mean to be troublesome, but I want to know how it all works. I want to know experience how God is working in my life, I want to know how God makes the sun rise, I want to know how my actions affect others around me. I want to know so much, which isn’t always a bad thing, but I need to do now and have the patience for God to show me his purpose in his own time.

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I accept that I am a very inquisitive person, God made me that way and understands me more than I understand myself. Perhaps I need to trust that he is in control and not get caught up in the little things; I need to be okay with the mysteries. I get a gut feeling that God will use my curiosity for a specific purpose if I can learn to put my faith in him and let God lead my constant quest for knowledge and enlightenment in the right direction. This is a subject that I continue to pray about now that God has shown me this revelation. I pray that God can use me to help people around me and in the realm of spiritual warfare.

My other gaping hole, because after God showed me one he was like, oh yeah don’t forget this one that should already know about. That one is that I am too hard on myself. I did already know about this of course. However, I often need a reminder. I get bogged down trying to do so much for everyone else that I forget to take time out for myself. I try so hard to do everything “right” and anytime I miss something or don’t do something as fast or as thoroughly as I would like I have a little mommy freak out moment. I forget something at the store or I miss getting the laundry put up and I feel like I have failed. This is an intense overreaction and I know this, but I am so hard on myself. I want to be the best I can be. This is something I need to work on. I pray to God often to help me realize that I am enough. To know it to my core that He and my family love me no matter what. I have to take a deep breath and pray a lot on the subject.

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After just beginning DeMuth's "Beautiful Battle" I can already see that it is going to make a big impact on me and be a way to connect myself even closer with God. 

Dear God, 

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to learn more and grow closer to you. I thank you for fellow bloggers and authors that provide a fellowship and confidants for this spiritual journey.Thank you God for showing me my "gaping holes" and for filling my with the living waters so I can fully enjoy and appreciate the everyday wonders around me. I pray for all those participating in this devotional with me that they each with grow closer to you the more read and delve in to realm of spiritual warfare. Thank you for continuously redeeming me through your amazing grace and mercy. 

In Jesus' name I pray, 

Amen.

This is the first of the "Beautiful Battle" series. 

I am linking up with:

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy and Me

Daddy and Me

Father's Day Tradition

For the last three years (the three years Zoey has been around for us to celebrate Father's day) we have gone to the South Carolina Aquarium. It works out perfectly. Daddies get in free and we get to experience something awesome right in our hometown.

Zoey and Daddy watch the Manta Rays

I love that this is a yearly adventure because we are able to measure, relatively, how much Zoey has grown in a year. It is always so interesting to see  what she will find interesting and what she wants to learn about each year.

Watch out for Shark Girl Zoey!

This has been the first year Zoey has really anticipated going to the aquarium. I kept asking if she was ready to go see the big fishes. Her answer, every time, was "and the turtles, Mommy." Yes, of course, how could I forget the turtles? They are one of her favorite things right now.

Zoey excited to see fish as big as her

Zoey had a great time at the aquarium. Stephen and I had a wonderful time seeing all the wonders through her eyes. Zoey very much wanted to take the lead this year and we let her. She went from fish to otters to owls to turtles to more fish like a whirlwind.

Zoey counting the starfish's legs

I was surprised when she stopped in front of the albino alligator exhibit where a lady was speaking about the alligators. Zoey wanted to go listen and she did. She sat up front with the other kids and listened to the entire lesson. I was so proud of her, that was quite an accomplishment for a not even three year old. She even stood in line for her turn to pet the baby alligator.

Zoey listening to the alligator lesson

I love how much Zoey loves learning. We've been doing preschool at home, which seems to help her attention span, a little at least But her innate curiosity is all hers and I love it. She rarely asks a blanket "why?" Instead, she will ask, "Why does the alligator have his head out of the water" or "Why does the snake lose his skin?" She really has an understanding beyond her years. We are constantly trying to fuel it and challenge her in fun ways.

Crab Boat Captain Zoey

We had a great Father's Day adventure at the aquarium this year. Besides petting the alligator, Zoey also saw a diver in the deep sea tank, counted the legs of a starfish, saw many turtles and played on a replica crab boat. We had a great time, but like all great adventures it had to come to an end. We were tired after a very exciting day, but it turned out to be a wonderful Father's Day!

Do you have any special traditions that you do every year? Did you do anything special for Father's Day? I'd love to hear about all of your adventures!

Mesmerized By The Beach

We live at the beach and especially this year have found ourselves going almost every weekend. There is something so special, so majestic about the beach. Zoey, being almost three now, loves the ocean and is very independent (with us right beside her of course) among the waves. She is even learning to swim in the ocean. I tell her if you can learn to swim in the ocean, you can swim anywhere.

What amazes me most about the beach is that we can go almost every weekend all summer and it will never be the same twice. We go one week and it is overcast with really high winds, we go another and there are so many people you can barely get two feet of beach, another day we go and the riptide is bad or perhaps we just go with different people. However, most days when we go there is at least one thing wonderful that happens.

One weekend Zoey saw a baby shark that someone had caught and she talked about it that entire week. The week we went and she could swim in the water was a definite favorite. Last weekend she saw not one, but three crabs and chased seagulls. This weekend there was a huge wade pool because of how the waves were coming in. We sat in the surf, talked together and watched little fishes nibble our toes.

It is always an adventure to go to the beach. No matter what we do or see we have fun as a family and take in God's beauty. I prayed a special prayer of thanksgiving today for allowing us to be a part of his wonder. I am very blessed to have such an amazing family and a daughter who loves the beach as much as I do.

Are there ways that you connect with God through nature? I'd love to hear them!

Linking up with Carissa: