God has recently been telling me, “Give it away” and that is just what I am doing! I’ve invited some beautiful souls from my favorite Facebook community for women in the 50+ season of life, The Consilium: a Gathering of Wisdom and Grace . Enjoy the words from their hearts and, if you don’t mind, would you leave a comment to encourage them? Feel free to join us over at The Consilium – we would love to see you there!
Today I would like for you to meet Rhonda Quaney:
Water rushes from the fountain and cascades into a clear pool. Lounging on the sandy shores are attractive people surrounding one woman. She holds a mirror, gazing at her flawless skin and charming face framed with wispy curls of blonde hair. The photo is part of an advertisement claiming their product reverses aging effects and helps customers, “grow younger and live stronger.” Reputable companies and respected doctors have mantras such as: “Turn back the clock!” “Drop a decade off your face!” “Cheat the years!” Shelves are lined with products and promises to reverse the aging process using miraculous serums with new and improved ingredients. And sometimes, this Jesus-loving woman, and her Jesus-loving friends buy into the hype of the world with its answers for our insatiable quest for beauty, youth and the things that come with it.
Eternal youth may be sought, but the deeper-than-skin problem is in our souls.
The woman at the well, the one who had five husbands, the one who was living with her current man?
Yes, that timeless soul.
I love that Jesus chose her.
When she arrived with her empty water pot, the stage was set for her to play the starring role in an ageless account of a life-changing encounter. The place was an ancient well and the topic was an eternal problem.
She had a pot that was empty.
She had a thirst that could not be satisfied.
She met a Man who claimed to have a remedy.
In His gentle way, Jesus initiated a conversation and made a bold claim. He offered her living water.
If that woman was anything like me, she had probably tried to quench her soul-thirst with people, possessions, and experiences, plus a few other things, that can be administered to numb a wounded heart.
But Jesus… He offers his daughter water that cannot be contained in a hand-dug well.
There are some things I think this woman at the well is teaching me today.
She is changed so dramatically by the encounter that she is compelled to run off and tell people. There was something so different about her that those people — who knew her stuff — they had a mind to receive her message.
She took Jesus at His word. And when I believe what the Word of God has to say, I begin to be changed from the inside out. It affects my story, my life and therefor my countenance.
If there were a spiritual serum, a few of the age defying ingredients would include: acts of kindness, faith lived out, forgiveness, deep hope, and effervescent joy. Reading the lines in the Word of God will soften the lines on our faces almost instantly.
That would be a facelift worth having.
Sweet sisters, what if we each were to be so filled with the Living Water that our focus would shift from our own reflection to just reflecting Him?
Yes, we take care of the one body we are given to travel this earth in, but no matter what age or stage or loss or gain we are currently experiencing, we live as an outpouring of His spirit in us.
We all thirst for water that will truly satisfy and refresh us, so we need to go to the Source. Then we too should be filled with the same kind of enthusiasm the woman at the well possessed. Maybe we ask Him not only for water that quenches our thirst forever, but also the boldness to share how this Living Water is changing our story and shifting our focus.
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Rhonda is inspired by everyday glimpses of glory. She is an incurable lover of bicycles, clouds, and star-gazing. She chases light with her camera lens and often writes out of the painful, beautiful parts of her story, such as being a prodigal, young widow, single mom, and breast cancer survivor. Those are a few reasons, her passion runs deep for women in all seasons of life and faith. She is crazy in love with her husband Jim, mom to three grown children, and grandma to seven. She wants to leave a legacy of love, lived with complete abandon for Jesus.
Website: http://www.rhondaquaney.com
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Link: http://bit.ly/1qUSF4o
Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
- What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
- When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
- Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017
Beautiful words of life, Rhonda! Lord, give us boldness in love as we share the living water You have given us.
Janet you are a gift to me. I appreciate your heart to encourage!
I’ve gotta feeling that your heart-words will come rushing back next time I see a glossy magazine spread that tries to convince us that something better awaits in a bottle or tube.
Thanks, Rhonda …
That is the best thing I’ve heard today! I need the reminder too Mary!
I am so sorry Linda! I am having a few issues with my computer. Thank you for the kind words and the grace for having the wrong name on your replay! Oh my!
You make us brave, Rhonda! Thank you for sharing!
Diane, I love how you honor and love on women here. Thank you for giving us a place to gather. It’s the next best thing to being at your house.
Thank you Rhonda…you encouraged me to STOP and sit a while and receive some LIVING water… and I tell you that I would rather have that than a face-lift, any day.
Mary you are such a precious friend. SO grateful that we can journey this season together.
A beautiful word of wisdom from a beautiful woman, inside and out! Love you, my friend!
Elizabeth! (I love saying your name!) Inside and out I am blessed by knowing you and sharing our lives in community. I may have to make some of your caramel apple cookies to celebrate this day.
these are words of encouragement. I will drink deep of the Living Water for it’s beauty is inside out. Thank you for reminding me of this. ~ Chris
Chris I took a few minutes to check out your blog home. It is evident that you do drink deep from the Well where true life comes. Thank you for being here at Diane’s!
And may I say “Amen” words well written, thank you!
Thank you for reading and leaving a note Lynn.
There’s no better water for our faces than the Living Water. The woman at the well is one of my favorite divine encounters. We’re all her, no matter how many husbands we have (or don’t have).
Thank you for the encouragement today, Rhonda and Diane!
We are all the woman at the well Susan! I adore that a piece of her story is shared in the Bible. Thank you for being here.
the lines on my face may have increased after reading your post. I mean this in the best kinda way. This share made me smile so much. And we all know smile lines are the best lines to have. I cherish them
Smile lines are the best aren’t they? Appreciate your encouragement Janie.
Absolutely beautiful. Your power of encouragement is a thriving and joyful experience. This has touched my heart and helped my eyes to see beyond the aging cycle of life. Hydrating our spirits is just as important as the hydration of our bodies. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
Violet, I honestly appreciate your words. This last week I often skipped my quiet time in the morning because of various interruptions. It made a noticeable difference in my reactions and countenance. Goodness! I can’t afford to miss what He has for me!
Beautiful words and reminders. “And when I believe what the Word of God has to say, I begin to be changed from the inside out. It affects my story, my life and therefor my countenance.” AMEN!
Barbie, you have been on my mind and in my prayers even this morning as I was driving. Earnestly praying for refreshment and a filling up for you of the Spirit in all the areas your heart and soul needs.