My World is Changed at The Well
By Michelle Randall, Project Manager for Fresh Brewed Life
One Saturday a month, my church community gathers in south Dallas to prepare a meal for the members of a unique community called The Well. It’s one of the events at church that I look forward to the most. The Well Community’s mission is to “engage people with mental illness in a life-giving community of peace, love and hope.” I have loved being a part of going to The Well and bringing hope for the daily grind to these wonderful individuals. It is always amazing to see how small gestures (and big ones) extended towards our global and local community make a lasting impact, So each month, we have the opportunity and privilege to participate. We connect with community members and share life. We get to see how this special ministry provides needed resources through daily counsel and friendship. The best part is that I always find myself leaving with more life than I came with. This is the backwards economy of God’s love. A lot of us have really begun to feel at home at The Well. We prepare a home-cooked, nutritious meal for the community members, enjoy their worship service, and clean up! It’s really pretty simple: we basically, eat, talk and listen. We leave every time with new friendships. We even get a few laughs here and there – some of the members live without much inhibition. I sort of admire them for that. I was flattered, and a little shocked, when Michael proposed to me over his mashed potatoes. And I always look forward to MaryAnn’s stories and the warm hugs from Bill.
It would be easy to only see their lives as full of suffering – but that wouldn’t be the reality. Some of them are an example to me of true freedom and joy. They come to God as they are, say what they mean, and love each other profoundly. While I don’t understand all the issues and the symptoms that complicate the lives of these friends – I do see that the way they engage in relationships is full of hope and healing.
Mother Teresa said, “We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it.” I’m humbled every time we have the opportunity to reach out, with great love, to our friends at the Well. In their eyes, we see God. And they serve us, just as much if not more than we have the chance and the privilege to serve them.
For information on the Well Community, visit www.wellcommunity.net.
Below, Michelle with her friend Will at The Well:
The Well group photo:
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