Visit the well, it never runs dry
By Laurel Pattenden
We can always learn. During this COVID-19 season of our life, I have already learned a few things. It has come to my attention that wearing lipstick is absolutely useless while mask wearing.
At first, I would always point out to the store employee that I was wearing the most luscious colour of lipstick. After a while it just wasn’t worth the chuckle as the lipstick would stain your masks. Dangling earrings are also a fashion taboo as they get caught on the mask strings and cause too much facial touching.
Another lesson learned about face masks, is that when I purchased cloth face masks, something so simple, I should have consulted my husband. I learned he doesn’t like the masks made with the cute baby animal prints nor dinosaur printed fabric. Who knew?! Plain, plainer or plainest are the best. However not as much fun.
Since it has been many months since my last hair cut, I am learning how to deal with long “COVID” hair. A friend of mine, who lives on an island on the B.C. coast has the most beautiful hair for her age. So I thought I would email her and ask her for some tips and techniques. She gave me a few but there was one that caught my eye. It mentioned that she never used chlorinated, processed water when rinsing her hair. She actually wrote that she uses “living water” to rinse with. Wow, I thought, and replied what do you mean “living water”? This actually happened! Then I laughed.
Of course, this is “the lesson” to be learned or reminded of during COVID-19. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well found in the Gospel of John. With all the changes we are facing and as the fatigue we wake to each morning piles up, we must get awake and journey to that specific well.
The one that the Samaritan woman visited and met Jesus. You know, the well that never runs dry. The well that has no limits on how many times you can draw a bucket. There is no COVID-19 purchase limit. There is no need to stalk up in fear of scarcity. You don’t have to sanitize your hands and you can definitely leave the mask behind. The mask is not needed nor is it allowed. We are to be unmasked when we meet Jesus. Jesus is always waiting there at the well for me and for you. He doesn’t wear a mask as he is the Shepherd we seek. It is companionable, safe, refreshing and pure at his well. “Living water” is the only item on tap there today and everyday.
The water that becomes in us “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life”. (Jn4:14)
Feeling parched by COVID-19? Are you restless? Go to the well where Jesus is. Say to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty again.” (Jn4:15) Remember that we are freely offered “living water”.
Remember we can freely receive the “living water”. Everyday remind yourself of this!
Always enrich your days with the “living water” Jesus has offered to refresh your soul. Then and only then take the time to rinse your hair with non-chlorinated, unprocessed water and who knows maybe your COVID hair will like it.
Laurel is retired and likes to spend her time in her art studio.
Laurel Pattenden, Woman at the well