Dear Black Woman, You Are Not Alone in Your GriefSample

God Knows You

It’s hard to fully show up in a world that feels like it was never intended for you to move, live, and thrive in. The harsh reality of our history is that we were brought to America in slave ships, enslaved, and treated as livestock instead of humans. And since those days, there have been continued struggles and grief, as well as strides to be known as human and as the image bearers of God that we are.

No, we didn’t all get the same start in life. Yet, because we are children of God, we are able to live and lead a God-breathed life in this grief-filled world, despite the pain, grief, and suffering we’ve been through or are even currently experiencing, and despite the broken systems in which we navigate.

The Samaritan woman reminds me of us as Black women. She was looked down upon, she was disliked by others, the Jews—they didn’t want to be seen with Samaritans, let alone talk to them. And because of her background, she didn’t know who she was; she didn’t know her worth nor her full potential. She wanted to be left alone to deal with herself and her issues alone. Thinking, as we think at times, “What’s the use?”

Yet when the Samaritan woman goes to the well on this particular day, she is met unexpectedly by Jesus. And he initiates a conversation with her. This conversation changes everything. Jesus shows this woman that she is fully known by him. Jesus helps the Samaritan realize her potential, reveals himself as the Messiah, and restores her by removing her shame.

And so it is with us, Black woman. When we meet with Jesus, he reminds us that we are fully known by him. He shows us our full potential, he reveals himself to us as provider, protector, as lover of our soul, and more, and he restores us.