The Woman at the Dumpster

 By Jessica Edwards

 

 

There she was.

All I could see were her shoulders and head sticking out of the dumpster.

I sat in my car taking pictures for proof and glaring at her in my assumption she had been unloading her trash into the dumpster without permission. See, it's not unusual for people to unload their trash debris into my husband's dumpster because it sits in an obscure place behind his office.

It wasn't until minutes later after she had driven away and I really looked at the pictures I had taken, I realized something. She wasn't placing garbage in the dumpster, she was taking food out of the dumpster. I then thought “how dare she steal our trash!” and my anger intensified.

Why was that woman digging in the dumpster? I don't know. I didn't ask.

Why was that woman getting food out of the dumpster? I don't know. I didn't ask.

Did she need help physically? Emotionally? I don't know. I didn't ask.

Wow. For several years, I have been praying that the Lord would give me compassion, to be moved with compassion like Jesus. Here was an opportunity to be moved with compassion, and I missed it. I totally missed it. I was not moved with anything other than disgust and anger.

Jesus is Our Example

There she was.

Jesus looked and saw her carrying her water pot as she made her way to the well.

Jesus sat at the well and waited. He did not glare at her with accusation like so many other Jews of His day. In compassion, He asked questions, took time to listen, and was willing to go out of His way to invest in this woman who He knew lived in sin.

She had come to the well thinking she was getting what she needed physically, but Jesus knew she needed so much more than physical water. She needed Him, and He freely offered to her His living water and met her spiritual needs. Her testimony was changed forever that day, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” (John 4:39 KJV)

My Prayer 

Oh Lord, forgive me for not seeing others through Your eyes, but seeing them through the eyes of my selfish pride. I know I have missed opportunities to share the gospel with others because of my self-focus and not wanting to be inconvenienced by compassion. Jesus, I truly do want to serve like You and see others like You see them. Lord, would You grow me in compassion as You love and sanctify me? Thank You for Your new mercies every morning and Your compassions that never fail! I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen

Jessica Edwards is a wife and homeschool mom who loves Jesus and His Word. She lives in the beautiful north Georgia mountains where you can find her hiking or trying to grow veggies in her vegetable garden.