God is still writing the plan for your life… did you just take His pen? Figuratively, many of us do just that. We can’t help our impatience, wanting to be in charge of our own future. We are so inspired by Lisa Schmidt, founder of The Well, who has returned the pen to God and reached hundreds of faithful women in the process.
Lisa Schmidt’s story didn’t start as she might have expected.
A few years ago, Lisa Schmidt was not unlike many of us who plan ahead. After earning a Bachelor of Family Services and Master of Public Administration from Iowa State University, she began a promising career in city management. Newly married, excelling in her work and on the fast track, she had plans for her future.
But in 2011, plans changed – suddenly.
“My dad’s death at 58 made me realize how quickly life dreams can take a turn. So I “retired” from my job and decided to stay home to care for our preschool daughter,” Lisa recalls. “My plan had been to continue my job, and saying goodbye was so very hard. But God had other plans.”
A page turned, and the plot thickened….
As her life redirected, Lisa experienced what many stay-at-home-moms know well – a joy in staying home with children, but also a loneliness in missing adult interactions. Seeking those adult connections, Lisa began writing more for forums and blogs like Catholic Mom. And while that helped establish new connections, she realized those online friendships were not as engaging as she desired. Not one to give up easily, Lisa tried going to local mom’s groups…but she often left feeling disappointed about the lack of in-depth connection.
“I was craving community, especially women of faith, and was starving for that connectivity,” Lisa remembers. “I knew I wasn’t alone.” About that same time, Joel started classes to become a deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. Meanwhile, Lisa joined a book club where she encountered a few women who engaged in faith conversations. She immersed herself in the work of evangelization and began writing for the blog she and Joel created (ThePracticingCatholic.com), speaking at church and community events, and more. One by one, Lisa found her tribe.
She felt called to convene a gathering.
So in July, 2016, Lisa invited her friends and Des Moines area women to share quality time with each other at a one-day event to experience faith, friendship and the joys/challenges of everyday life. She didn’t know what to expect.
An amazing 350 women gathered that day.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Schmidt. The Well conference.
Just like that, Lisa’s story began a new chapter: The Well.
With the success of the gathering, it was clear there were many women who felt that same desire to build deeper, spiritual friendships. Lisa was inspired to connect these women, and founded “The Well,” a women’s ministry rooted in faith, friendship and fun.
The Well. How appropriate.
In villages around the world, “the well remains a centralized gathering place,” Lisa notes. “It’s particularly apparent in the Bible passage where the Samaritan woman first meets Jesus, was spiritually healed and shared her encounter. Our goal is to also bring women together, foster spiritual friendships, strengthen the community…and encourage women to build their prayer lives one step at a time,” she explains.
The Well ministry is an inspiration, and a gift to women of faith.
Lisa’s mission with The Well became more than a one-day gathering. “Isn’t our relationship with Jesus really a daily thing and not something for a one-day conference,” asks Lisa, adding that it’s difficult to block out a noisy world. “We are all just so busy, and the choices we make day-to-day often distract us. I love the quote by Bob Goff: ‘The battle for our hearts is fought on the pages of our calendars.’ I would challenge you to see what is filling up your own calendar, taking you away and not toward Christ.”
The Well is gift to women of faith
So, Lisa continues to build this growing community at www.TheWellDesMoines.com, where her talented volunteer team offers spiritual encouragement in weekly doses for the ministry. Here, you’ll find:
- a blog with rejuvenating reflections
- the Water Jar podcast – also a great name choice epitomizing our desires to be filled
- the 1% Challenge, a movement to spend 15 minutes of your daily time in prayer (started during Lent)
- and – Lisa hopes – a few more fun, faith-filled gatherings to come. (Stay tuned for future event details.)
Lisa’s Story Encourages Mindfulness
A mother of four, Lisa understands the business of the every day. As The Well’s following grows, Lisa strives to deepen her own faith and live an intentional, joyful, Catholic life. She tries not to over-think it. “I basically stay on track by asking myself:
- “What is filling up my calendar and taking me away from Jesus?”
- “Did I pause today and just talk to Him?”
- “Did I turn to Facebook instead of picking up a spiritual book today?”
- “Could I find a reading or phrase that speaks to me as I’m running around today? One of the beautiful things about being Catholic is there are readings every single day, and they’re laid out for you. I love how our liturgy is so ordered. I might get distracted but I can get right back on track. It’s amazing.”
She encourages others to do the same. “The Holy Spirit will use you in ways you may not imagine as you find joy in the day-to-day. I love what I’m doing…it energizes me.”
God’s pen is writing a beautiful story in Lisa. We can’t wait to see what the next chapters bring!
Follow along with The Well on Facebook and subscribe to Lisa’s blog at www.TheWellDesMoines.com.
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