On Becoming a Well

Over the past week, I have been deeply moved and troubled by the story of the three women who were kidnapped and held captive for ten years in Cleveland, OH.  Their resiliency is phenomenal. I was so touched by their words of gratitude for all who helped them, searched for them, assisted them in any way to be free . . . I am still trying to process WHY!  But what I have found is the reading, “On Becoming a Well.”  They certainly were “wells” for one another – they survived in spite of the terror they endured.  Others, who have experienced “being taken” – abused, terrorized, and  hidden, came forward – such as Jaycee Dugard, who commented:  "These individuals need the opportunity to heal and connect back into the world.  This isn't who they are. It is only what happened to them. The human spirit is incredibly resilient. More than ever this reaffirms we should never give up hope.”  

They now drink of the Wells of love, compassion, and healing from their family, friends, neighbors, and from across this planet. May they know that there is a Well deep within them – and may they drink deeply in gratitude and joy!

So let us reflect this week:
How have we experienced Wells of wonder, beauty, and awe in our lives?
Who has been a Well of support, healing, and life-giving calm for us?
Whose Well have you been able to drink from – enabling you to bring out the best in you? How are you a Well for others?

On Becoming a Well

What makes this world so lovely is that somewhere it hides a well. Something lovely there is about a well, so deep, unpiped and real filled with buckets and buckets of that life-giving drink . . . But what makes the world so lovely is that somewhere it hides a well.

Sometimes people are like wells, deep and real – natural (unpiped), life-giving, calm and cool, refreshing. They bring out what is best in you. They are like fountains of pure joy. They make you want to sing, or maybe dance. They encourage you to laugh, even when things are rough and maybe that’s why things never stay rough once you've found a well . . .When you find a well, and you will someday, drink deeply of the gift within. And maybe soon you will discover that you’ve become what you've received, then you’ll be a well for others to find.

So lift up your eyes and look all around you; over the mountains, down in the valley, out to the oceans, over the runways, into the cities, into the country, sidewalks and highways, paths in the forests, into the hearts of a thirsty people . . . The world hides a well, a well that hasn't been found yet . . .! (Author Unknown)