Heads up! In the spirit of seeking God together and discussing good stories with a friend, Pastor and Spiritual Director DanaLee Simon will be chatting with me about the Well Women series on my podcast.

DanaLee and Maren use their spiritual imaginations to explore the mysteries of the Samaritan woman's story. Then DanaLee introduces us to spiritual direction practices and reflections to help us soak up some good Living Water.

Meanwhile, the first article in my next series is at the link below!

Explore other The Bible and the English Major seasons.

DanaLee Simon, Pastor & Spiritual Director

DanaLee Simon is a Spiritual Director and an ordained Minister in the ELCA, currently serving as a Minister of Spiritual Life through the Rocky Mountain Synod. Spiritual Direction and self-compassion are foundational to many aspects of her ministry. She enjoys meeting one-on-one with directees, leading classes on various topics, gathering people for retreats, and teaching a weekly self-compassion therapy group at a local residential treatment program for high school girls. She is anticipating convening a Compassionate Living Community that kicks off this fall with the hope that it will have the effect of stirring up more love in the lives of individuals that then flows out into relationships and the world.

DanaLee lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two sons. During her days and moments of sabbath, she loves reading, getting out in nature (biking, hiking, cross-country skiing), connecting with friends, writing, and traveling. Reach DanaLee by e-mail. She sometimes writes down her ponderings; signup to receive them.

Reflection Questions

Written By DanaLee Simon

Episode 1: In the story of the woman at the well, her name and how she addresses Jesus change as their connection grows:  Jew to Sir to Prophet to Messiah.  How have your names for God/Jesus changed as you have grown and changed in your journey of faith?  What is the path of your own understanding of who Jesus is?

Episode 2: Think of a time you have felt seen and completely understood.  Go back to the situation in your mind and play it back with all the details.  Who was seeing you?  What did they say or do to make you feel seen?  What was the result of your feeling seen?  What did it enable you to do or feel?

Episode 3: Maren points out a pyramid pattern that highlights Hagar’s story as the pinnacle story.  It stands alone at the top point, surrounded by stories of the covenant.  What does it mean when God and ancient writers center on the marginalized?  The one with the least power?  How does this guide you as you think about what it means to live your life as a Jesus follower? What light can it shed upon your own moments of marginalization and/or suffering? 

Episode 4: I love the lighthearted quote from English Major School, “When the story veers, open your ears!” What if we could do this with the story of our own lives?  What if, when life feels like it is going kind of sideways, or what we expect doesn’t happen, we just get curious?  Is there a pattern in your life that is out of whack?  This usually causes a lot of stress.  Feel the stress, the anger, worry, sadness – whatever it is.  Then, get curious.  What is true about this?  What can I learn from this deviation?  How is God showing up even if I feel like I’ve gone off the rails?

Episode 5: When have you experienced Living Water?  When have you experienced aliveness in the wake of death or drought?  What fruit showed up during that time?  How are you called to be Living Water?  What or who in your life might benefit from a sprinkle or pouring out of what you have to offer?