What is...The Well?!

I know…we all have our stigmas and hang ups with social media.

Yes, it can be a total rabbit hole, a distraction, a place for rants, bullying and often times….nothingness. Or it can help connect you to like-minded people, inspire you, help you, and sometimes show you places that you don’t even KNOW that you NEED to be.

I couple of months ago was surfing around on Instagram and saw a simple post – “The Well - It’s Tonight!” I had NO idea what this was, but I was intrigued. I took a look at the followers on The Well account and there were a couple friends that I knew, so I reached out to them about it.

That is exactly how I found The Well.

Just discovering The Well, I was unable to attend the gathering in January. Looking back on photos, it was a packed house at the Grandin CoLab and the energy looked AMAZING! I KNEW I had to attend the next gathering!

The Well is a monthly night of worship, fellowship and truth for women. It’s a chance to be refreshed and experience living water. The Well is inter-denominational and not affiliated with any one church. There is an awesome piece of scripture that is inspired for the name of this group gathering for women:

John 4:14 - “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

At the February gathering, I felt just that and more!

I decided to go with one of my best friends who is a strong Christian and someone I look up to, especially when it comes to her walk with Jesus. We were both greeted with open arms and hugs at the door. Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and color were in attendance. Each of us took a name tag and enjoyed the lovely spread of snacks and drinks!

With one of my best friends, Randi Earls! Enjoying an evening away from the babes!

The beautiful ladies in attendance at The Well at the Grandin CoLab!

There is a leadership and prayer team at The Well. Once everyone was settled; one of the members of the leadership team greeted us and opened up in prayer. She was super bubbly and her love for the Lord was so contagious.

The Well Leadership Team Member, Sarah Rachel Janney welcoming everyone. 

There was a beautiful praise band that literally brought me to tear up more than once during the gathering. The three girls singing where AMAZING! They have the most angelic voices – you could actually FEEL their love for the words pouring out to us.

I cannot fully describe it, but there was the sweetest energy there! I know that everyone had to feel the same way I felt. What we were feeling was God’s presence.

The beautiful and talented Praise Team!

It was time for the speaker to hop up on stage, and that is when I realized that I left my notebook at home. I NEVER leave the house without my notebook, and I was so mad that I couldn’t take notes! On this night, I didn’t need to take notes; I needed to just listen…

The speaker was a tiny, beautiful mother of three boys and she wanted to talk to us about Fear. During her talk, she walked us through what it looked like not to have confidence in God to get us through our fears.  

The Well Leadership Team Member and Speaker, Abby McClellan.

·       How many times have I been afraid, scared or anxious and not leaned into God to help me with that situation? 

·       How often do we get caught up in the “what if’s” of life or thing we can do it all on our own?

·       How many times have you gone to another substance to cover up the fear or pain?

·       How often have you woken up feeling shameful or sad because you didn’t rely on Him to get you through the fear?

I can certainly relate.

By relying on God, she shared how she no longer has to be afraid, anxious, dependant or shameful. This girl and her vulnerability captivated me and sent my wheels into motion. She was phenomenal!

In closing, there were 4 questions put up for us to ponder over:

1.     Have you experienced God radically change your life? If so, how does knowing and remembering His faithfulness change you?

2.     If this is the first time you have heard about God’s love, what would stop you from taking that step in believing it?

3.     If you know and believe in God, do you let the truth that: He Loves You No Matter What, be the anchor for how you operate daily? (Interactions with others, decisions, etc.)

4.     In what ways has God made you brave?

I am personally still thinking about these answers as I type them out. Maybe one day I will dive in and share them with you.

More people have to hear stories like hers! More women must come to The Well and hear these amazing stories of struggle and good news!

The next gathering is Tuesday, March 27 at the Grandin CoLab at 7:00pm.

For more information, follow them on Instagram at @thewellroanoke and on Facebook at The Well Roanoke!

The Well Instgram and Facebook pages

I welcome any thoughts or questions you may have about The Well! You may also email them at thewellroanoke@gmail.com! 

Maybe we can go together in a couple of weeks! I hope to see you and your friends there!

xoxo,

Saralyn