{be what thankful is} now.

What does thankful look like?

Maybe it looks like a woman

scorned by society...

that had a reputation that ran ahead of her.

Who came to a well

at noon-

when the sun was hottest and highest-

in order to avoid the stares of others.

Perhaps she'd heard 

enough of their

chatter

and noise

about her and her life.

Their judgment perhaps was too much for her to bear 

another day.

So she went to the well at noon.

Maybe she was thankful for the silence.

What does thankful look like?

Maybe it looks like the Man with 

dusty feet and ruddy skin.

The Man who came by the well that day

perhaps not to drink water, 

but to offer it.

He traveled right through this area that 

was normally avoided. 

He knew she would be there at that moment

seeking solace.

Seeking water.

He knew.

What does thankful sound like?

Perhaps it sounds like the woman

who couldn't keep from telling her friends 

about this Man who

knew it all-

her past, her present, all-

and offered her a new life.

She found compassion and hope in Him. 

He did not scorn her

or chastise her

or cast a wayward glance her way.

He looked her in the eyes

and offered her a better way.

And she couldn't keep it in.

She told everyone,

and they believed for themselves.

On this Thanksgiving Day-

and every day-

we are offered the same.

Thirsty? Hungry? Lonely? Hopeless?

Get quiet with Jesus and accept His offer of new life.

Of hope.

And grace.

And mercy.

And love.

Again and again.

Be what thankful is.

Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!” They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. 

A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. 

We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. 

He’s the Savior of the world!

~John 4:39-42

Many blessings,

Deni