Some memories are so vivid.
Almost as if God locks them into our minds so that in His time, the memory will give us a reflection of His ongoing work.
I had been an athlete all my life, but after a career-ending injury my senior year, I kept my mind busy and my spirit intact by helping out the coaches with office responsibilities during my study hall hours.
It was already a very difficult season of life for me. My dreams of playing ball in college were shattered. In those days, an ACL complete tear was an unlikely rehabilitation. Especially for a girl.
One morning it all seemed to come crashing around me.
Alone in the locker room, I completed the tasks the coaches had given me. The room was flooded by dingy lighting and held together by cement floors. The room was decorated with gray lockers and wooden benches I had sat on thousands of times as I changed in and out of my uniforms. Additionally, there was an echoing sound even in the silence.
My young tender heart was broken. Exploding really. Focused on the fact that my boyfriend of almost two years had broken up with me.
No future in basketball.
No future with the boy.
I was only 17 years old. Life ahead of me. The world mine to explore.
But I had a gaping hole in my heart and no idea how to fill it.
Despite my success and confidence as a student and an athlete, the overwhelming feelings of not enough triumphed. The hole in my heart threatened to consume me. All that I held as my marks of value were now gone. And with them went my worth.
Particularly, that aching young girl didn’t yet know that there is only One who can fill all the holes and define her worth.
She didn’t yet know only the One greatest love in all the world could fill the gaping hole in her heart.
The only One capable of lasting forever.
She didn’t know it was a God-sized hole.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. –Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Today, as I reflect upon my past, I think about the story of The Woman at the Well found in John 4:1-42.
The woman was a Samaritan. Pretty much hated by the Jews. Married five times and was now living with a man to whom she wasn’t married. I think of her countenance at that point in her life. Exhausted? Disillusioned? Angry? Bitter? Lost faith?
Additionally, she didn’t have a lot going for her to fill her with hope or worth.
I’m guessing she was probably living life with a great big gaping hole in her heart. But because we know she was sneaking out to get the water in the heat of the day so as to not have to deal with the judgment of society, I think it is safe to say that all her attempts to fill her heart with men left her heart painfully empty.
Our story begins as Jesus approaches her at the well, requesting a drink. With surprise and a hint of a defensive attitude, she wondered what this Jew was doing speaking to her, a Samaritan woman?
Lacking trust she slings a question at him,
“You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
I think in that moment, Jesus must have smiled on the inside thinking “Perfect question!”, because this is what He said,
“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” –John 4:10-14 (NLT)
Certainly, the story tells us she wanted that water, but she had questions. Lots of them. Just like any of us who have faced difficult times. Similarly, we doubt, question, and need convincing.
Jesus pointed out He knew her past and her current life choices. He saw her not just as another number or statistic, but for who she was in the deepest parts of her soul.
And despite her choices, He offered life and forgiveness.
It didn’t matter how many times she had gotten it wrong. Or that she was looking in all the wrong places to fill that God-sized hole in her heart. The mess she had made of life didn’t matter. Nor did what others thought.
His redemption was bigger than all of it.
Right then and right there it was new life. Her heart filled. Her worth defined. She knew she had met the only One who could fill that gaping hole in her heart.
So she ran! She didn’t even bring her water jar with her. She left it behind and ran to tell everyone the good news. I think that what she felt by the filling up of her heart, was so incredible that she could think of nothing other than sharing this opportunity with all the empty souls she knew.
Nothing else mattered anymore.
I believe it was a new day for the Woman at the Well. There was no more listening to the enemy’s lies. You see, the King of Kings had entered Samaria, tired and weary from traveling in the hot midday sun so that He could speak to this one woman desperately trying to hide from the world. Here in the most unlikely of places, He met her.
He found her and gave her hope. He filled the God-sized hole in her heart. And that says that she is more than enough. That her worth is priceless.
And so are you, my sweet friends. Jesus will come to find you.
Moreover, He sees you, knows you, and still loves you. He will find you in the dead heat of the day. In an out-of-the-way, uncared for town among people who do not know or love Him. In the midst of your yuck, He will lift you from the mire and set you firmly on the rock.
You are more than enough. Believe it. Claim it.
Wherever you are.Whatever you have done. It's not too big for Jesus or His love #hope #godsizedseries #identity Click To TweetHe reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out to set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again. -Psalm 40:2 (The Voice)
That young me crying on the locker room floor?
Oh, how I wish I could tell her more about Jesus. Even though she knew about Him and believed in, revered, and honored Him, there was so much she did not grasp.
Although she didn’t understand His love. She didn’t understand that He called her wonderful and valuable.
And you? How well do you know Him? Do you stop short of embracing His redeeming love?
If so, now is the time to say, “No more.” Let’s make this a defining moment and say …
“Today I receive that I am a wonderful and valued child of God. I am loved beyond measure. My value is not defined by my past nor my future mistakes. I recognize the open arms of Christ. The King of Kings is here to meet me right where I am and call me His cherished, loved, and priceless child. He is here to fill the God-sized hole in my heart.”
Jesus meets us right where we are,calling us His cherished,loved,and priceless children #hope #identity Click To TweetMy dear friends, I pray that if you haven’t come to a place of knowing Who fills that hole your heart, I pray you say these words today and claim them as truth over your life. I would be honored to pray with you and share in your journey as you begin to realize just how wonderful you are!
Catch the entire God-Sized Series!
Week 1 – Filling the God-Sized Hole in My Heart
In Week 2 – A God-Sized Hope to Conquer the Storm
For Week 3 – What I Wish My Younger Self Knew About God-Sized Approval
Finally, in Week 4 – Surrendering It All for a God-Sized Restoration
Before you go… Could you use some real HOPE today??
I’ve created the 5-Day Hope Toolkit: Claiming the Victory of a Hope-filled Life just for you!
I’ve designed it so that it breaks these 5 strategies down into manageable pieces.
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I am looking forward to this series, beautifully written and just what we need to be reminded of, his love! Thank you for this post!
Hi Miss Serendipity 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m so thankful for you – your big love – and big encouragment! You are a treasure God was so good to bless me with 🙂 I hope and pray God is choosing to make my words and me as much of a blessing to you as you are to me.
Lori
Thank you! Beautifully written…you have a gift…look forward to more 🙂
Sandy,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope God uses this series to bless you!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
God is the only one who can satisfy our deepest longings. Thank you for this post. Stopping by from Reflect. Thanks for linking up
Hi Jann,
I’m so glad you found a nugget of truth in these words! And thank you for the opportunity to link up at Reflect!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori – thank you for sharing your reflections and reminding us that only God can fill the spaces and longings in our heart. Your neighbor over at Reflect His Love and Glory.
Hi Debbie,
Thank you so much for visiting! Reflect is such a great place to connect! I’m so thankful you found some reminders of God’s Truths through my words.
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Beautiful post! I love this: “He saw her for who she was in the deepest parts of her soul.” I think as women that is one of the deepest desires of our hearts–to know and be known—truly, deeply, in the deepest parts. God is truly the One who is meant to satisfy that longing! So glad to have met you today. 🙂 Blessings, Tasha
Hi Tasha,
It is for sure wonderful to meet you, too! Thank you so much for stopping by! You are so right. We crave to be known. I believe God wired us that way to fulfill our unique roll as caretakes, mothers, and wives. It gives us a sensitivity and an understanding for the individuality of others. I’m so glad you connected with my heart 🙂
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, this is beautifully written. I’m so thankful the Lord knows the real me and yet He is with me through it all. Thank you for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.
Hi Lori, Thank YOU for giving me both a fun place to hang out and such a sweet person to get to know!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Let me just echo St. Augustine: My heart is restless until it rests in Thee. 🙂
Hi Lux, Thanks for stopping by!!! So true – our hearts are so restless until they rest in Him!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, I think this is the first time I’ve run into your writing, and so thankful for this post today. Also thankful for the way in which God has shown Himself strong on your behalf. Blessings to you!
HI Michelle,
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad God is using my life and words to touch the hearts of others. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, a beautiful post. May I remember to take all my questions to Jesus for He has all the answers. So simple & yet sometimes so hard. Grateful you so gently reminded me this morning! Blessings!
Joanne, Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by! I am so humbled by God using the words I write and the stories in my heart to touch, remind, or encourage the hearts of others! Thank you for that affirmation!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Stopping by from #SitsGirls. Have a marvy weekend.
Hi Paula,
Thanks so much for stopping by! #SitsGirls is such a great place to hang out! 🙂
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I love this! Oh how we so many times let the hole in our heart widen rather than taking the time to go to the person who will fill it with exactly what we need. I love your honest words that filled my heart with knowing that I am loved by an amazing God. Blessed you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mary. And have I mentioned how much I love #TheWeekendBrew? If I didn’t, I do!!!! I love what you have been sharing over there about Life’s Rhythms. Such. Good. Stuff! I am humbled by God’s use of my writing to touch the hearts of others. Thank you for being that affirmation!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
This was such a beautifully written and personal post. I felt like you were right across the table from me sharing your heart to encourage mine.
I seem to be in a season of discontentment of late. Your post was so timely and encouraging for me. I was especially struck by your words,
“She didn’t yet know that the gaping hole in her heart was uniquely sized and designed to be filled by the One greatest love of all.
The only One that could last forever.
She didn’t know it was a God-sized hole.”
I forget when discontentment rears it’s ugly head that the only one that can satisfy me is Jesus, my All in All.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Karen,
I am so thankful that God touched your heart through this post and that you felt encouraged. I will be praying for you to find His hope and peace in this season to fill that beautiful heart of yours!
I so hope that others will have that same feeling of sitting across the table. That is always my hope because I my heart so desires to reach out and give hugs and speak encouragement and hope into the hearts of others when they are feeling empty. You couldn’t have given me better words of encouragement, my friend! Thank you!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
This is beautiful, Lori. Thank you for taking the time to write it so eloquently.
~ Blessings ~
Brenda, Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
What a beautiful post and inspiring. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
Jenny,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It is my prayer that God so choose to inspire, encourage, and give hope to others through the experiences and words He gives me. Your words were an affirmation that He is doing that! Thank you!! And thank you for hosting #sharewithme! I’m so glad I found you out there 🙂 It’s a fantastic place to hang out!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I love this series, Lori! There are holes only our God can fill, and I’m so thankful He is quick to fill them every time they come gaping open again. <3
Amen! I agree, Lauren! And thank you! I’m so glad you stopped by today!
Lori, This looks like an awesome series! I can’t wait for more!! He is the only one who can fill the huge empty places. Blessings, my friend!!
Thanks, Deb! He really is, isn’t He? Try as we might to fill those empty places with people, things, and achievements, it never fulfills. Only Him!
Blessings ♥
Thank you for this post.
God bless.
What a wonderful series, Lori! I’m so thankful that our Lord fills up all the holes in our hearts. I remember moments like those as a teen too. I agree, I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that it will be ok. I guess that’s part of the reason we write– to share the hope we’ve found in Jesus!
I was just praying along these lines for one of my sons minutes before clicking on this post. I love it when God uses the words of a friend to reinforce truth that He’s teaching me.
So true! Everyone has a God-shaped hole in their heart that only He can fill. Your story is so encouraging. I wish the younger generation could get this post and let it sink in their hearts. You certainly turned to the correct source for fulfillment and I pray the next generation will model their lives after your love of Christ and your sincerity!
Hi Erin,
I’m so glad my story and words of hope encouraged you! I am joining you in that prayer. Wouldn’t it simply change our world if we could all grasp that truth early in life?
Blessings and smiles,
Lori