Where is your well?

Well, well, well.

Well is one of those English words that wears many coats. It’s an adverb, a verb, a noun, an interjection; it’s sigh and a joke; it’s a thing, a dream, a hope. But today, I’m wondering: Where is your well?

Well in Grammar

So when I saw this Five-Minute Friday prompt, well, the first thing I thought about was my grammar lesson plan on good vs. well, adjectives, adverbs, and the crazy English language with all its rules. When someone asks how I’m feeling, I should say, “I’m well.” It’s proper, but golly, it’s so stuffy. So I usually say I’m blessed or I’m bummed or I’m good. I’m not always a grammar stickler, and depending on who’s asking, I try to be honest.

As a Filler

Well is one of those filler words I say when I’m pausing or thinking about a decision. My husband just called on his way home from work. “What’s going on?” My first word? Well . . . (It was actually quite humorous since I was writing this post at that very moment.)

Or when we were choosing paint colors. This white or that white?

Well . . . paint colors deserve their own post.

In a Hymn

Sometimes I hear the word and right there in that moment Horatio Spafford’s hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” rises up within me. I can’t sing at all, but I can hear the tune. Do you hear it? I marvel at his faith in the face of tragedy. If you don’t know the story behind those lyrics, check it out. You may never hear that hymn again without a tear.

Repeated

Years ago I learned Julian of Norwich’s well words. She was a 14th century mystic who said or wrote: “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of things shall be well.” The repetition of words or phrases is a powerful literary device because it’s rhythmic and memorable. (If you’re geeky about language, that’s called anaphora.) I doubt Julian considered the literary impact of her words but because it’s true, profound, and memorable, her words are tucked away in my heart. When a day is too much, I find myself repeating those words.

A Well of Water

Which brings me to this other well tucked deep in my heart. I’m a city girl with city water, so my go-to image for a literal well where water is drawn comes from childhood story books with wishing wells or favorites like the Little House on the Prairie or folklore tales. But it is at this well that I hear what I most need, the well in the beautiful Bible story where the Samaritan woman hears the words of Jesus, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:14 ESV).

Because of Christ, all will be well. Today — yes, even today. This moment. In this complicated world filled with imperfect me and imperfect you and every other imperfect being. In this moment that is not perfect or complete — even so, all is well.

So, where is your well? Is it well with your soul? What is the well you draw upon in times of stress, trouble, or to quench your thirst when life is moving so quickly?

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt last week. Looking for more devotions and reflections on faith? Click here.

Photo by Fikri Rasyid on Unsplash