“ There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all she had. Yet she was not helped and only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I shall be healed.’” – Matthew 5:25-28
Maria is a beautiful shining soul in a dark and desperate relationship. Her beautiful smile is sometimes masked by shame and doubt. Her skin is rough and weathered, exposed from a lifetime of suffering. She and her husband of many years were both alcoholics. Well he still is, but she has turned and left it all behind. You can still find him sitting on his porch drunk yelling at every passerby.
One day she saw Jesus walking along the muddy road in front of her house. He came into clear view in form of the Word of God, and suddenly, like the touch of the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage it all changed. Healing and hope entered her heart. The spirit of God invaded her soul; her old life had come and gone. She quickly tossed out the bottles of vodka she used to stumble upon for so many years, and she humbly touched the cloak of Jesus. Just a touch, just a taste of Jesus and she was satisfied. Eternal satisfaction, one that didn’t leave her so empty the next morning. She now glows brightly and her Bible is her only medicine.
There are times in my life when I lack Maria’s courage and faith; times when I sit back and watch Jesus pass me by. Oh, to have her faith. Teach me, Lord that you are all I need. Each time we visit Maria she joyfully asks for prayer and scripture; because since she reached out in faith it is all she needs.
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