Lonely

And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You." But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me." When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (Luke 8:43-48).

This woman's story brings a tear to my eye because I can see her in some of the women around me.  I've seen ladies so wracked by pain that hurt has become a normal part of their existence.  If their pain ever stopped, they would know it immediately. Sometimes their pain is physical; more often it is pain of the heart.  I've known women so ashamed of their sins that have felt unclean, unable to take part in the larger world around them.  I've known women lonely in the midst of a crowd.  I think about the woman who has lost a child.  I remember the ladies who have had abortions that they deeply regret.  I think about the widows.  Do you ever feel like them?  In pain or lonely or ashamed?  Or maybe all three?

Jesus knows.  Do you suppose He could have ignored the healing power going from Him and let the healed woman go on her way quietly?  I'm sure He could have.  But Jesus chose instead to stop and look this woman in the eye. Not only that, He called her out of the crowd. She wasn't right beside him.  He noticed her among the multitudes of people around him.  He was on his way to heal a sick girl, but this woman, this unclean, lonely woman, did not escape His notice.  He stopped and spoke to her, called her daughter, and praised her faith for all to hear.  He gave her two gifts that day, the gift of healing and the gift of noticing.

Jesus notices you too, but you will never know it if you aren't seeking Him.  Dear sister, have the faith that this woman had.   She looked for Jesus.  She tried to get as close to Him as she could.  You can do that too. Read His Word to touch His robe.  Pray for his healing power.  Don't live alone in your pain and your shame any longer.    

Melissa

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright(c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.