I went to a program last night entitled, "Women at the Well". I believe it was written by Kenneth Cope. There is narration and music about the women we read about in the scriptures who were alive and involved in the life of Jesus Christ. I'd never seen it before and I was moved by the strong spirit that seemed present there as women performed this hour long production. It was very simple, and poignant. It caused me to reflect on my feelings about Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry and the Atonement.
I became keenly aware that I was sitting between two women who mean a great deal to me. To my right was a sister who serves in the Stake Relief Society Presidency; but more personally to me, she is Camilla's special education teacher. She has worked with Camilla since kindergarten and this may be the last year she works with her, unless I can do something about that. I was able to work closely with this sister during the last school year, and gained a greater appreciation for the time she spends not only to help teach my daughter, but several children at our elementary school. She spent hours training in reading recovery this year. I am familiar with the program because, Eric, took the class as well. I respect her and I am truly blessed by her work. I realized that she is a woman that is serving the Savior in many ways. She is a blessing to me in the way she cares for and teaches my daughter. She helps to fill my cup of living water.
The sister to my left I met shorty after we moved here. I served with her in the Relief Society Presidency. She was the other councilor for awhile. I got to know her that way. We are both in primary now and I see her almost every Sunday. I enjoy her beauty and her sweet smile. The thought that came to me during that performance though was when she called me about a month after Neal was born and talked to me about wanting to do something for our family. I couldn't think of anything, but I appreciated her concern and thoughtfulness. Then she asked me if I ever shopped at Costco. I said, "Yes". She told me that she'd drop some things off the next day and quickly said goodbye. Well, when I arrived home from the hospital the next day, on my porch were boxes filled with items from Costco. Laundry detergent, softner and dryer sheets, paper towels, toilet paper, cereal, chips, lots of non-perishable items. Tears came to my eyes that day and my tired, aching heart was lifted. My near empty cup was filled up.
This morning as I took my walk I thought of other sweet women whom the Lord has placed in my life that help to keep my cup filled up. My mother, my sisters, my aunts, my dear girl friends and sisters from my ward. Just then a voice called out to me...REALLY CALLED OUT TO ME. It was another sister from my ward, she was jogging. I always look at her and think, "She is so darling" She just called out good morning and said hi to Neal and kept jogging. As I watched her getting farther ahead of me, I thought of all her smiles, waves and hello's and the few times we've had moments to talk to each other. Those simple gestures of kindness have helped to fill my cup over the last 5 years. Then I thought, "I wonder what it feels like to be able to run like that?"
I was able to spend time on Wednesday night with one of my dearest friends, Lisa, and we actually went to a movie. "Letters to Juliet". We had such a fun time. I always love being with Lisa. Then we met up again the next day to have lunch with three more friends from our college years, Joy, Linde and Birthe. It was so nice to catch up and to feel that closeness. To laugh and to share about our families. I am so grateful for these women in my life. Some I don't get to see very often, sometimes several years go by. However, it is nice to know that we can just pick right back up from where we left off. That fills my cup.
I know that the Savior, Jesus Christ, is the one who showed us the way to live. It is through His atonement that we have the opportunity to repent of our sins and heal from our hurts. He heals all wounds and sorrows. I know we can help him accomplish his work when we choose to really love and care and open ourselves up to others. Sometimes we get hurt, I truly have felt that and understand it. When I get hurt, I want to shut off and close myself in. I have done that on different occasions and that becomes a dark place for me, a place where Satan can influence me much more than the Spirit can. So last night's program helped me want to keep trying to be more like him and hope that there will be ways that I can help fill other's cups with His living water.
John 4: 10-14
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the agift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never a thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
